Stronger kwacha promotes export diversity

‘Now is not the time to whine’
KEVIN MAYHEW
THE STRENGTHENED kwacha has presented the entire Zambian economy with major challenges that it can either see as problems or opportunities. A child of Zambia, the managing director of Celtic Freight and Logistics, Adrian Friend, says the country has been through troubled economic times on many occasions and has weathered the storm. “Now is not the time to whine, but to see the opportunities. Those that have done so are importing hard currency and rand-priced capital equipment into the country to set up manufacturing plants that will one day turn commodities and agricultural products into finished product – taking pressure off balance of payments and providing the country with greater export diversity in the future,” he explained. Celtic operates between Durban and Zambia – with warehousing and bonded facilities in all centres. It provides the only independent container depot in Lusaka. Opened a year ago, the Independent Container Terminal in the Chinika area of the capital has its own weighbridge facilities. It measures both gross vehicle mass and axle limits. The company operates as Celtic Freight Zambia in that country. In adapting to the challenges, Friend said Celtic had introduced mini containers on its routes which had proved very popular with freight forwarders. This because they have less chance of hold-ups due to incorrect paperwork or outstanding payments if smaller loads are consolidated as part of larger cross-border containers.