TIMBER Producers Association of Zambia (TPAZ) president Charles Masangehas appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to come to the aid of timber producers who are being exploited by foreigners.
In an interview with Millennium TV news, Mr Masange says foreigners come as investor to exploit Zambians because of the current high poverty levels and hard economic situation in the country.
Mr Masange said that the investors were offering cheap prices of US$200 per tonne to their members and later export the same to their countries of origin to sell at a price of more than US$5000 per tonne.
He stated that due to the lack of strong political will by local authorities in charge, the country’s extractive industry was being sabotaged by foreigners.
Mr Masange explained that if this challenge is not resolved, the country would continue to lose out from natural resources that could be beneficial in boosting the country’s economy.
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