Processing and manufacturing needed for sustainable development

WHILE ZAMBIA is currently enjoying an economic explosion due to the insatiable global demand and high price of copper, the question that begs to be answered is why all of the copper is being exported either as concentrate or as cathodes. The same goes for other export goods such as cotton and tobacco. Very little if any processing and manufacturing of goods seems to take place in the country. While the DRC is manufacturing consumer goods under licence to multi-national companies such as Unilever and Coca-Cola and exporting it to its neighbours, the price of consumer goods in Zambia keeps escalating as virtually everything is imported via road due to the country’s landlocked status. In very practical terms, relying solely on the export of copper will not lead to sustainable economic development for the country. Questions are already being asked by many local businessmen about the government’s spending of the revenue earned through copper. It is being said that very little is seemingly being spent on infrastructure development such as roads, schools and hospitals. For a developing country this should be of major concern as long-term growth can only take place if there is a healthy investment by both the private and public sectors in the development of infrastructure and the means of production such as plants, factories and the like. This will increase employment opportunities for all citizens, lower the price of consumer goods and prevent a large gap from forming between the haves and the have-nots. Zambia currently has a reputation for political stability which is well earned. But this, along with the foreign investment it attracts into the country, could be jeopardised if measures are not taken to use and process the abundant raw material produced in the country to the benefit and betterment of all.