By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
SCRAP metal dealers on the Copperbelt have appealed to the Government to lift the ban on scrap metal exports to help open the market for Non-Ferrous Metals.
Copperbelt Scrap Metal Association chairperson Benjamin Mwitwa with the ban still in force, this had negatively affected his members from deriving full benefits from trading in scrap metal.
Congratulating Margaret Mwanakatwe, on her appointment as the new Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry, Mr Mwitwa appealed for her intervention in the matter.
He said the local market was not able to absorb Non-Ferrous Metals hence the need for government to lift the ban on scrap metal exports.
He said members had about 50 tonnes of Non-Ferrous Metals which could not be absorbed locally due to lack of market, adding that companies buying locally were not able to afford the commodity due to lack of funds, a situation which could only be eased once the ban had been lifted. To this effect the association was arranging for a meeting with Mrs Mwanakatwe to dialogue over the matter. Export of scrap metal was banned in 2011.
