By JAMES KUNDA-
ZAMBIA has concluded its market study on the causes of intermittent increases to the cost of cement, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) has disclosed.
CCPC public relations officer Hanford Chaaba said in an interview that the study which is done under the auspices of the African Competition Forum (ACF), was simultaneously carried out by Tanzania and South Africa.
Mr Chaaba said that the findings on the study have since been tabled before the ACF Head Quarters in Kenya and the results will be made public during an ACF conference to be held in Morocco, in June this year.
“The study has been finalised and its findings are before the ACF Head Quarters in Nairobi.
This was a study of three countries focusing on understanding the market dynamics that are responsible for the increasing prices of cement.
“The ACF would scrutinise the findings of the study and offer recommendations to Government and other stakeholders on how to keep the prices of these commodities stable,” he said.
Zambia has recently recorded intermittent increases in the cost of cement prompting Government to call for additional private investment in the industry.
Nigerian owned Dangote Group is on the verge of commissioning its US$400 million cement manufacturing plant, which will be the biggest in Zambia ahead of similar operations by Lafarge and Zambezi Portland.
