They now want to see the government introducing trade barriers to curb what they allege is produce dumping on the Zambian market. Economic observers see neighbouring Zimbabwe as the main culprit. The reality is that Zambia's agricultural sector is in a mess. For example, the number of wheat farmers has fallen by more than 70 percent over the past three years. While the national demand for wheat is estimated at 150,000 mt per year, production has remained around 60,000 mt.
Millers continue to prefer cheaper wheat from abroad.
All Egyptian diplomatic missions in the Comesa region will, starting May, be required to endorse certificates of origin in their respective stations to facilitate exportation of goods to the country. The move follows a series of complaints from Comesa member states over the delay in procedures for clearance of goods destined for Egypt from other members. Speaking in Nairobi during a Comesa customs and tariffs conference recently, the manager of the Regional Harmonisation of Comesa Customs project, Mr Charles Chaitezvi, said complaints over Egypt's conduct as far as the Free Trade Area is concerned had necessitated the decision to ease access by other member states to the Egyptian market. The resolution of conflicts over origin of goods from member states was one of the main items on the agenda of last week's Comesa heads of state summit held in Cairo, Egypt. Member states feel that discrepancies over the origin of goods have made the zero tariff area for tradable goods and services harmful to the local industry.