By JOHN SAKALA
The Economic Association of Zambia (EAZ) says Zambia must change its trade narrative for it to prosper economically.
EAZ Copperbelt Chapter Chairperson Matthews Muyembe said the trade narrative for Zambia has been that of exporting raw materials.
Speaking in an interview with The Independent Observer on the African Freedom Day, May 25, 2020, Mr Muyembe said Zambia has been known of exporting raw materials which affects its inflation.
He said the exported raw materials then come back to Zambia as finished products and are sold at higher prices.
“If Zambia can begin adding value to its raw materials, more Zambians will have jobs. We must rise and provide our own solutions by setting up our own industries to add value to the raw materials we are exporting,” he said.
“If we do this, it will stabilize our economy, create employment for our people and strengthen our currency. We need to have a shift on international trade. We can’t be free as Africans if we continue to export raw materials,” he said.
