Govt reiterates commitment to sort challenges of manufacturing industry

—Government says it is committed to addressing all the challenges being faced by manufactures in the country.

And the Zambia Association of Manufactures (ZAM) has called for an act of Parliament that will create an enabling environmental in doing business and boost the manufacturing sector.

Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister, Keith Mukata, said government has put measures, such as reducing the cost of entry and doing business, in order to broaden and diversify the production base.

Mr Mukata said government recognises the manufacturing industry as an important cornerstone of Zambia’s socio- economic progress and as a job creation venture.

The deputy minister was speaking Lusaka today when he officially opened the 26^th Zambia Association of Manufactories Annual General Meeting.

Mr Mukata has since assured manufactures in the country of government’s continued support and constant dialogue in dealing with some of the impediments hampering the manufacturing industry.

Meanwhile, outgoing ZAM president, Chance Kabaghe, said there is need for legislation that will be backed by parliament which will help the manufacturing industry to fully foster the job and wealth creation agenda.

Mr Kabaghe also thanked government for being receptive to various issues suggesting that the association has been presenting in the past years.