ZAM eliminates hurdles in local content use
THE Zambia Association of Zambia (ZAM) is ready to overcome the underutilisation of local content which has arisen mainly on account of weak inter-sectoral linkages and lack of integration of local products into domestic value chains.
Manufacturing strengthens utilisation of local content and Government support remains key in the process, says ZAM Business Development and Membership Officer, Sopani Muzumara.
Ms Muzumara said ZAM was playing its role by ensuring that small and medium enterprises were developed into suppliers that could meaningfully contribute into the value chains.
“Actualisation of linkage development can be achieved through the Government’s enactment of the local content policy into law.
“Therefore, the local content law should be fast-tracked, to allow for effective development of economic linkages in the country,” she said in her write up on Exploring Smart Technologies for Value Addition.
Ms Muzumara urged all consumers to look out for products with the official Proudly Zambian Campaign (PZC) logo from accredited companies.
She indicated that Zambian manufacturing had grown to levels where there were now local products in almost every production category.
“From household goods, to office equipment, to foods and beverages. Your purchase of local produced goods saves a job as employment is created, brings tax revenue into the country and allows for growth in the sector,” she said.
She said in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, ZAM presented nine Proudly Zambian Certificates to manufacturing companies that had been vetted and approved as good representatives of Zambian local brands.
The companies are Ascensio Investments Limited, Travium Supplies, Manal Investments Limited, Strongpak Limited, Unified Chemicals Zambia Limited, Unity Packages Limited, Yatu Foods Limited, Unity Garments Limited and Sunfoods Trading Limited.
Ms Muzumara explained that products from these companies were established as environmentally friendly and met international quality standards, two requirements for the use of the Proudly Zambian logo.
She said eighteen companies had received certificationin 2019 and had been championing this campaign, inspiring consumer confidence in local products in the country.