Export volumes provide positive spinoffs for key towns

Kevin Mayhew THE CONSTANTLY improving Zambian economy is impacting directly and positively on key towns which form the Copperbelt, according to the managing director of Cargo Management & Logistics (CML), Simon Fellingham. These towns include Kitwe, Ndola, Luanshya and Chingola. Fellingham, who is based at Ndola, says there has been a noticeable increase in the volume of export cargoes, more specifically those related to copper mining activities, which has spin-offs for many related industries. CML handles both import and export traffic through the traditional port of Durban, but also via Dar-es-Salaam by rail and road because of its more favourable proximity to the copper producing zone. “We must not forget the west coast port of Walvis Bay – a relative newcomer for Zambian traffic – but already a successful conduit for mining equipment supplies,” Fellingham said. CML is headquartered in Zambia’s second city, Ndola, but has representative offices at all the major cross-border points and key population centres including Lusaka, Kitwe, Mufulira, Livingstone, Chirundu, Nakonde and Chingola. With growth in the copper mining industry expected to be sustained for some years to come because of the anticipated long-term demand from China and the Indian sub-continent, the outlook for further development in Zambia generally remains cautiously optimistic. The agricultural sector too, although lagging behind mining, is also showing promising signs with crops such as cotton and tobacco in particular doubling year on year with every likelihood this performance will be sustained, he concluded.