Mukanga calls for unlocking of trade in landlocked countries

Government says there is need to enhance trade competitiveness among the Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs).

Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga says there is need to priorities key areas of focus for the LLDCs group to foster development and poverty reduction.

Mr. Mukanga named some of the key areas as infrastructure development and maintenance; international trade, productive capacities, value addition, regional integration and cooperation and building the resilience of the LLDCs to emerging challenges, among others.

ZANIS Reports that the Minister said on Thursday during the opening of the two days first session of the Intergovernmental Preparatory Committee for the Second UN Conference on LLDCs in New York in the United States of America (USA).

Mr. Mukanga who is the current chairperson of the LLDC Ministerial Group level said LLDC’s have a huge trade potential that needs to be unlocked in order to significantly increase the share of the group.

The Minister said cooperation on fundamental transit policies, laws and regulations between landlocked developing countries and their transit neighbors is crucial for the effective and integrated solutions to cross-border trade and transit transport problems.

And Mr. Mukanga called on the UN system, regional and sub-regional organisations, and financial institutions to scale up their support to LLDCs.

This is according to a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka June 13th by First Secretary for Press and Public Relations at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Zambia to the United Nations Chibaula Silwamba