Sat, 20 May 2017 10:47:05 +0000
By MAILESI BANDA
THERE is need to promote the export of meali meal as compared to maize to promote value addition and create jobs for the local people, Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) chairperson, Andrew Chintala, has said.
Mr. Chintala said most customers in the export market preferred finished products like meali meal and maize bran.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, he said MAZ was working towards implementing the Government’s emphasis on value addition.
“We are aware that Government policy is to encourage the exports of value added products to earn the economic benefits which include increased employment opportunities, foreign exchange generation and enhancing the export position of Zambia on the regional market,’’ he said.
He appealed to Government to relax the regulations on the export of maize and maize products after the lifting of the ban.
He said while the association appreciated the lifting of the export ban for maize and its products, there were internal challenges on the processing of the export permit applications.
“As MAZ we feel that there should be adequate controls within the Ministry of Agriculture to monitor the exports while maintaining food security without involving additional monitoring groups which result in delayed completion of exports, hence frustrating the players in the export business which include the exporters, transporters and customers,’’ he said.
He said while the millers were rejoicing due to the record of the surplus maize produced, they faced the challenge of offloading the huge crop onto the market, especially on the regional export market, due to the fact that other countries in the region also have a bumper maize harvest.
He said MAZ remained committed to working with Government and other food value chain stakeholders in enhancing food security in the country while achieving economic gains.
