Government has commended the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and One Life Communications and Events Company for successfully hosting the first ever virtual Import and Export Conference and Exhibition (IMPEX), under the theme ‘Connecting Africa through Trade and E-commerce’.

Officiating at the conference,  Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Mr. Christopher Yaluma explained that Zambia needed to use the IMPEX to position itself as a trade hub, as Africa was in the process of integrating into a Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA).

Mr. Yaluma noted that there was enormous untapped potential through regional integration in Africa to accelerate economic growth.

He pledged government’s commitment to supporting  initiatives that   sought to showcase Zambia’s opportunities ahead of the Continental Free Trade Area.

Mr. Yaluma disclosed that in line with the theme of the conference, the Government of the Republic of Zambia had created an enabling business environment for E-Commerce.

“My ministry is developing an E-commerce strategy in order to keep abreast with recent trends of conducting business through electronic means,” he disclosed. “This strategy provides a framework for the development of e-commerce in Zambia over the next five years (2020 -2024),”

Mr. Yaluma observed that E-commerce played a critical role in the economy as it facilitated for the creation of new channels for trade, jobs and the enhancement of trade by lowering transaction costs and reducing transaction time.

He said IMPEX 2020 was a platform where trade policy met business practice.

“It should trigger conversations about what is working and what needs to be improved, It has presented an opportunity for business to business meetings, business to government, government to government, and business to consumer meetings that are expected to explore international markets to work better for enterprises,” Mr. Yaluma advised.

And speaking earlier, the ZDA Board Chairperson Bishop David Masupa said IMPEX had attracted participants from all over the region for the sole purpose of strategizing and deliberating upon the ways which Africa’s Development agenda and businesses could be brought into actionable realities.

He encouraged the private sector both locally and internationally to use the IMPEX platform to bring out issues that affected their business enterprises with regard to cross border trade especially with Africa.

“As a united Africa, we can boost trade and investment among our countries and make our continent prosper,” said Bishop Masupa.