NTEs earnings soar to $2.2bn
Published On October 1, 2014 » 1947 Views» By Administrator Times » HOME SLIDE SHOW, SHOWCASE
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.SICHINGA

.SICHINGA

By CATHERINE NYIRENDA –

PARLIAMENT yesterday heard that Zambia’s Non Traditional Exports (NTEs) earnings have grown by US$ 2.2 billion from 2010 to 2013 while Traditional Export (TEs) earnings also grew by $1 billion during the same period.
Commerce Trade and Industry Minister Bob Sichinga told the House that the increase in percentage share represented increased diversification of exports in line with Government trade policy which promotes the growth of NTEs.
Mr Sichinga told the House in response to Lubasenshi Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Mucheleka who wanted to know what percentage of TEs and NTEs was made in 2010 and 2013 and the monetary value of the exports.
He said the percentage share of TEs total in 2010 was 81.5 per cent and 66.6 per cent in 2013, while NTEs in 2010 were 18.5 per cent and increased to 33.4 per cent in 2013.
He said the value of TEs were estimated at $ 6.1 billion in 2010 growing up to $ 7.1 billion in 2013, while the NTEs in 2010 was
amounted to $ 1.4 billion and increased to $ 3.6 billion in 2013.
“This shows an increase in TEs earnings of $1 billion while that of NTEs earning to 2.2 billion over the same period,” Mr Sichinga said.
In a follow up question Patriotic Front (PF) Nchelenge MP Raymond Mpundu wanted to know if the growth on NTEs was impressive to
Government.
In response, Mr Sichinga said though the NTEs grew from 18.5 percent to 33.4 pe rcent, the growth was not impressive and Government was working towards enhancing productive areas by clustering them.
Mr Sichinga also told the House that Government had engaged the owners of Kabwambwa Tea Company to find an amicable solution to challenges that had rocked the company.
Mr Sichinga said this in response to the question raised by Chipili MP Davis Mwila who wanted to know what plans Government had for the company and how many people had been employed as of August 2014.
Mr Mwila also wanted to know why it had taken so long for Government to resolve the problems at the company.
Mr Sichinga said the company belonged to private hands as it was privatised in 1996 and that Government had no authority over the
company but could only dialogue with the owners to find amicable solutions.
“The major problem the company was facing was inadequate capital by the owners to effectively run the company which is a source of great concern to Government,” Mr Sichinga said.

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