Tue, 02 May 2017 10:35:20 +0000 By Mailesi Banda THE growth of the manufacturing sector continues to be hindered by high interest rates on borrowing and the collateral demanded by commercial banks, says the Zambia Insti-tute of Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR). ZIPAR lead researcher, Mwanda Phiri, has said access to finance was one of the major constraints faced by both suppliers and non-suppliers of goods and services on the local market. She said the lack of finance was a hindrance to the acquisition and the enhancement of technology and production techniques required to develop supplier capabilities. “Particular challenges faced by firms include high interest rates and the collateral de-manded by commercial banks. The financial constraints are exacerbated by the lack of a viable and dynamic financial market that is able to accommodate the risks of small en-terprises,’’ she said. She said the provision of affordable and adequate finance to local suppliers would […]
