ZAMBIA SHAPES MARKET ACCESS POSITION AHEAD OF TRADE TALKS

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Posted by admin on June 22, 2026 at 3:52 AM

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The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF), has convened a stakeholder engagement and capacity-building workshop to shape Zambia’s market access position in ongoing bilateral trade negotiations.

The meeting brought together manufacturers, exporters, importers, and industry representatives to identify priority products, sensitive sectors, and national commercial interests to inform Zambia’s negotiating framework.

Opening the workshop, Permanent Secretary for Trade and Commerce, Mrs. Lillian S. Bwalya, emphasised the importance of evidence-based decision-making in trade policy, noting that commitments on market access have far-reaching implications for domestic production, employment, government revenue, and consumer welfare.

 

“While trade liberalisation creates opportunities for exporters and reduces input costs, it must be managed carefully to protect vulnerable and strategic industries that are not yet prepared for adjustment pressures,” she said.

The workshop featured technical presentations on tariff scheduling, rules of origin, and border taxation frameworks to strengthen participants’ understanding of negotiation processes.

PPDF Director of Research and Policy Analysis, Ms. Elita Mwanda, reiterated the importance of private sector participation in shaping Zambia’s tariff offer, describing the engagement as a critical opportunity for industry to influence national trade priorities.

She stressed that Zambia must balance opening markets with safeguarding domestic industries to enhance competitiveness, support industrialisation, and promote job creation.