Lungu: Zambia Committed To Continental Trade Integration

President Edgar Lungu has reiterated Zambia’s commitment to trade integration across the African continent, calling for the development of modern border infrastructure and port facilities to support the implementation of a Free Trade Area from January 1 2021. 

“As we proceed with opening of our borders, let us be mindful of the need to ensure that necessary accompanying facilities and procedures are in place to facilitate smooth trade amongst member states,” the president said. 

Mr Lungu’s remarks came during the 13th session of the African Union Extra Ordinary Virtual Summit on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). 

His remarks were delivered by Commerce Minister Christopher Yaluma, who clarified that Zambia’s cabinet has already approved the AFCTA agreement and is now waiting for parliament to ratify its decision. 

However, President Lungu’s remarks insisted that free trade should not be implemented to the detriment of any one country. 

‘Zambia will support all efforts aimed at ensuring that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area benefits all participating African Union Member States and that no single country is disadvantaged as a result of implementing the trade liberalization reforms,” he said.