The Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) says the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Industry presents an opportunity to accelerate industrialisation, strengthen local production and increase value addition.
ZAM President Mohammed Umar says separating Industry from Trade and Exports will allow for more specialised leadership, with the Industry portfolio focusing on building domestic manufacturing capacity while Trade and Exports concentrates on market access and export promotion.
In a statement, Mr Umar says the association also welcomes the restructuring of the energy portfolio into separate Ministries of Petroleum and Electricity, noting that reliable and affordable energy is critical to manufacturing competitiveness.
He adds that the establishment of a dedicated skills portfolio under the Ministry of Skills and Higher Education provides an opportunity to better align technical and vocational training with the needs of industry.
Mr Umar says the success of the restructuring will, however, depend on effective coordination across Government and sustained engagement with the private sector.
By Rachel Mumba
