MAIZE EXPORTS BOOST TRADE TO GREAT LAKES – MINISTER
By BUUMBA CHIMBULU GOVERNMENT has said the introduction of maize exports has boosted Zambia's trade to the Great Lakes Region with volumes increasing to 15,899.59 tonnes in August 2017 from 13,474.70 tonnes the previous months.
This came to light when Transport and Communications Minister, Brian Mushimba, met with Mpulungu Harbour management team in Kasama yes- terday.
In January this year, Mpulungu Harbour handled 15, 826.52 tonnes of cargo into the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Tanzania.
Currently, Zambia exports sugar, cement, steel and other commodities through Mpulungu port on Lake Tanganyika into the Great Lakes Region.
According to Mr. Mushimba, trade volumes into the Great Lakes Region rebounded from the low of 11,031.40 tonnes in February 2017 to about 15,899.59 tonnes in August this year.
Mr. Mushimba, in a statement made available by the ministry’s head of public relations, Maimbolwa Mulikelela, also said the modernisation of Mpulungu port would increase capacity and efficiency of the port and consequently enhance the transportation through regional corridors.
He said this would also enhance safety of navigation on the lake and cargo handling.
“The government has embarked on the modernisation of Mpulungu port which should provide access for Zambia to the Great Lakes market. This project is meant to increase storage capacity from 30,000 tonnes to about 60,000 tonnes and expand the quay from 80 to 150 meters so that it can take in two ships at a time instead of one,” Mr. Mushimba said.
Mr. Mushimba explained that the feasibility study for the modernisation of Mpulungu port was completed and was financed by the African Development Bank.
“This is a very important project both to the people of Mpulungu and Government as well, because it is going to open up the area for business and encourage business linkages between Zambia and other countries in the Great Lakes Region,” Mr. Mushimba said.
The minister said the rehabilitation of Mpulungu port would improve transport services and communications on Lake Tanganyika between Zambia and the Great Lakes Region.
Mr. Mushimba said the project would provide a fuel efficient transport mode along the regional corridors, since research showed that waterways transport was the most efficient of all transport modes.