The Zambian government says demands to extend the timeframe of the Africa Growth Opportunity Act CANNOT BE IN PLACE WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF COMPETIVENESS

COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY MINISTER FELIX MUTATI SAYS DEMANDS FROM VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS TO EXTEND THE TIMEFRAME OF THE AFRICAN GROWTH OPPORTUNITY ACT CANNOT BE REALIZED WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF COMPETIVENESS.

BRIEFING JOURNALISTS IN LUSAKA TODAY, MR MUTATI SAID THE AGOA EXTENSION WILL HAVE TO BE MADE MORE PREDICTABILITY WITH THE SET PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS.

MR MUTATI SAYS PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS WILL HAVE TO BE TIED TO COMPETITIVENESS OF AFRICA IN TERMS OF PENETRATING THE AMERICAN MARKET.

HE STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS INCIDENCES WHERE THE U.S MARKET WAS OPEN BEFORE AFRICA COULD BECOME COMPETITIVE WILL HAVE TO BE AVOIDED IF  MORE AFRICAN COUNTRIES ARE TO BENEFIT FROM AGOA.

THE MINISTER HAS HOWEVER BEMOANED THE LEVELS OF PENETRATION OF ZAMBIAN PRODUCTS ON THE U.S MARKET STATING THAT THERE IS NEED FOR THE COUNTRY TO CAPITALIZE ON THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THE MINISTER ALSO SAYS  PREPARATIONS FOR HOSTING THE 10TH AGOA CONFERENCE ARE ON COURSE.

ZAMBIA IS SCHEDULED TO HOST THE TENTH AFRICAN GROWTH OPPORTUNITY ACT IN JUNE AND OVER 300 DELEGATES ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE COUNTRY DURING THAT PERIOD.

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