President Hakainde Hichilema says legal export of mealie meal to neighboring countries must be encouraged as it will deter smuggling by some unscrupulous dealers.

Speaking when he met members of the Millers Association of Zambia at State House in Lusaka on Friday, President Hichilema says government and the private millers must consolidate efforts to foster growth of the economy and stamp out impediments.

Millers Association of Zambia Chairperson Andrew Chintala has assured the nation that the mealie meal crisis will soon be over because his association is committed to ensure there is transparent and effective production and supply of the staple food.

This follows weeks in the shortage of the commodity in mostly the Copperbelt Province, caused by rampant smuggling due to high demand of mealie meal in neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo-DRC.

By Victoria Kayeye Yambani