Chipoka Mulenga counsels new ministers

By MUBITA KATETE

FORMER Minister of Commerce and Trade Chipoka Mulenga has urged the incoming ministers to prioritise manufacturing, industrialisation and exports as key drivers of Zambia's economic growth.

Mr Mulenga said Zambia needed to learn from countries such as Japan and South Korea, which had developed strong economies through manufacturing and exporting.

Speaking during the Joint Ministry Handover Meeting for the Ministry of Trade and Export and the Ministry of Industry, Mr Mulenga said the country was at a critical stage of its industrialisation journey and needed to strengthen local production.

"It's manufacturing. They manufacture and they export. So, it's about industries to give what they trade people to export," he said.

He cited investments such as United Capital Fertiliser, industrial expansion projects and planned electric vehicle assembly as important developments that should be built upon.

Mr Mulenga also called for stronger trade relations with neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to increase export opportunities.

Meanwhile, Minister of Trade and Export Dr Caroline Katotobwe pledged to maintain policy continuity, saying the newly established ministry would build on previous achievements while working with other ministries to advance the Grow Zambia Agenda.

"We are a government of continuity, we are a government of policy and principle, and so all the good policies and initiatives that were undertaken do not vanish or disappear upon the succession of another minister," she said.

Minister of Industry Noel Nkhoma also commended Mr Mulenga for his contribution to infrastructure development, trade facilitation and Public-Private Partnerships.

Mr Nkhoma cited the Chingola-Chisamba-Kasumbalesa road and border concession, Chirundu Border Post concession and regional railway development involving Zambia, Tanzania and the DRC as some of the initiatives pursued during Mr Mulenga's tenure.

The joint handover meeting brought together the former minister and the incoming ministers to share experiences, review previous initiatives and outline priorities for the two ministries in advancing the country's economic development.