BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes
THE Zambia Trade Information Portal (ZTIP) has potential to improve the business industry in the country if well utilised by all sectors of the economy.
Zambia recently joined other African countries in launching the on-line trade portal meant to improve the ease of doing business.
The portal is a platform provides necessary information needed to import and export products, says Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Public Relations Officer, Godfridah Chanda.
Ms Chanda explained that countries who had utilised the portal had created an improved business environment as their industries were able to have more access to business linkages.
“Access to information is empowers people. We have seen a lot of people being swindled because they are lacking information but with the Zambia Trade Information Portal, no one can swindle you because there is transparency.
“This is a one stop shop platform which is useful to all sectors of the economy. Whatever information you need to export or import goods, is readily available,” she said recently in Lusaka at a Media Induction for the portal.
The Ministry, she said, would soon start holding sensitisation meetings for all sectors of the economy regarding the portal.
She said Government had included the Zambia Cross Borders Traders, and Zambia Association of Manufacturers among other stakeholders to ensure smooth run of the portal
“We are targeting now sector by sector and we intend to embark on serious publicity targeting Provinces. We want to avoid hearsay kind of doing business.
“This provides a platform to see what others countries are doing in terms of business. It will also enhance our business linkages. This is also the right time to conduct the ease of doing business,” Ms Chanda said.
