Tax waiver on copper concentrate export pure robbery – Dodia

By CLEOPATRA NAKONDE

GOVERNMENT’S decision to waive the 10 percent export duty on 255, 000 metric tons of copper concentrates has been condemned by economist Yusuf Dodia.
The a global commodity giant Mercuria Energy Group has been awarded the right to export 255, 357 metric tonnes of copper concentrate from Zambia through a joint venture with the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation.The deal, approved under a special waiver by the government, exempts the cargo from the usual 10 percent export duty from June 28 to October 1, 2025.Mr Dodia has questioned the move, citing the potential loss of revenue for the government, which is seeking a supplementary budget of K33 billion.
According to Mr Dodia, the waiver may also undermine the country’s industrialisation plans, which aim to promote value addition in the mining sector.
He said by exporting raw materials like copper concentrates, the country may be missing out on opportunities to process the mineral locally add value and increase its economic benefits.

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