By CHATULA KANGALI –

SOME cross-border traders have said most of Zambian products are uncompetitive on the regional market due to high prices.
Cross Boarder Traders Network head of HIV and public health Poster Jumbe said that goods produced in the country were too expensive on the region market.
He said that customers preferred to buy products from other countries which were of the same quality because of the price consideration.
“Zambian products are of high prices on the market. There are products which are of same quality and quantity as Zambia’s products but are cheaper. Customers from the region prefer products which are of high quality but at a cheaper price,” he said.
He said this in an interview in Ndola.
Mr Jumbe said that traders in the region preferred to order products which had high demand on the market.
He said the cost of doing business in Zambia had become high due to the shortage  of power and the depreciation of the local currency.
Mr Jumbe said street vending in Zambia was interrupting the businesses because customers were unable to reach their shops.
“Street vending in Zambia has grown. A lot of traders are going on the street because  they do not need to  have a licence or pay levy. This is affecting business for our members who pay levy and have trading licences.
Mr Jumbe called on the local authorities to work on controlling street vending in town centres to save cross-border traders.