Thu, 06 Apr 2017 10:17:42 +0000 By BUUMBA CHIMBULU GOVERNMENT’S decision to reverse the ban on importation of fruits and vegetables will help avoid effects of trade distortion, says the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR). Last month, Ministry of Agriculture permanent secretary, Julius Shawa, announced the ban on the importation of some vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, carrots, potatoes, among others lemons to encourage the sourcing and supply of these products within the country. But Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry and their Agriculture counterpart reversed the ban. ZIPAR research fellow, Francis Ziba, in an interview said banning imports was against the principles of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) which Zambia was a signatory to. Mr Ziba explained that WTO prohibited restrictions on the importation or sale of products from other WTO members although with a few justifiable exceptions. “So, while one can certainly appreciate the rationale behind […]
Vegetable imports ban reversal mitigates trade distortions- ZIPAR
