Solwezi Mayor Mr Remmy Kalepa says local governments are key in boosting the Africa Continental Free Trade Area as they host Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) which are main players in the expansion of trade beyond boundaries of localities and countries they operate from.
Speaking when he graced the commemoration of the African Day of Decentralisation (ADD) which falls every August 10th, the Mayor stated that local governments are significant actors in intra Africa trade because they are places where wealth is produced through various businesses.
Mr Kalepa then called on Solwezi residents in need of start-up capital not to tire applying for the Constituency Development Fund which is a testament of Government’s commitment in encouraging trade and development of SMEs by providing them with the much-needed capital.
The North Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ms Kayula Lombanya who spoke on behalf of the private sector expressed confidence that the promotion of a vibrant private sector into cooperation between the public sector and business is the foundation for building an economy which creates employment and equitable wealth.
She also pointed out that for the country to attain interest representation, there is need to embrace a system where decision making is distributed at various levels and encouraging of local participation through decentralisation.
Ms Lombanya further said the African Day of Decentralisation is a great reminder of the importance of decentralisation as it gives autonomy and freedom for local players to be part of the decision-making process.
She expressed gratitude to the Local Authority for creating a platform for the exchange of ideas on innovation and entrepreneurship in achieving structural transformation that creates an enabling environment for inclusive trading within the African continent.
In celebrating the 2023 ADD focusing on the theme: “Removing the hurdles to free trade dynamics: what are the enabling conditions for the effective participation of African subnational and local governments in boosting the Africa Continental Free Trade Area”, a mini exhibition was held within the Council premises giving an opportunity to Marketers, Cooperatives and other groupings to interact with pivotal institutions and the private sector players that are key in the promotion of economic development of Solwezi district.
Notable institutions that exhibited their role in business development are: the North Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry, INDO Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), the Business Regulatory Review Authority (BRRA), Hollard Insurance Company and the hosting Council.
The Africa Continental Free Trade Area aims to create a single African market for goods and services, with free movement of people and investments, and to promote economic integration and development across the continent. It further offers the opportunity to transform what is being produced and launch an industrialization process for the creation of value addition on the continent.
