The Zambian government sees potential for dynamic economic growth from exports, which could be one of the engines of growth that can liberate society economically. The rationale is that rapid expansion of export commodities would provide additional stimulus to growing local demands for the establishment of large scale manufacturing industries and other auxiliary industries that can boost the country’s export earnings. Export earnings can considerably provide revenue to the nation for the stimulation of growth and national development. In order to promote exports, government established the Export Promotion and Market Development Division under the Zambia Development Agency.

The Division has the responsibility to market the country’s exports to increase the country’s earnings from the sector. The functions of the Export Promotion Division are to further the economic development of Zambia by promoting international competitiveness in business and promoting exports from Zambia.

The Broader functions are as follows:

1.   Give advice to the Minister on matters relating to International Trade Development through exports of goods and services

2.   Study market access offers received from trading partners under COMESA, SADC, EU, other Regional Trading blocs, National     Initiatives and WTO and ensure that Zambian  Businesses take advantage of the opportunities generated by those offers;

3.   Encourage the development and growth of Zambian industries that are efficient in their use of resources, enterprising, innovative and internationally competitive;

4.   Ensure that Zambia meets its international obligations and commitments, including those under the COMESA, SADC, EU, other Regional Trading blocs, National Initiatives and WTO

5.   Maintain regular, productive and effective dialogue and cooperation with the public and private sector and encourage public-public dialogue, private-private dialogue and private public dialogue.

6.   Monitor the progress made by Zambia’s trading partners in reducing both tariff and non-tariff barriers;

7.   Provide marketing support services to business enterprisesEXPORT PROMOTION

8.   Encourage measures that will increase Zambia’s capacity to trade, including efforts to improve transport and communication infrastructure;

9.   Cooperate with other State institutions and the private sector in areas linked with International Trade, such as the protection of intellectual property rights, standardization and certification and sanitary and phytosanitary measures;

10.   Formulate Sector Export promotion strategies;

11.   Enabling the business community to participate in national and international trade fairs, exhibitions, specialised fairs and trade missions;

12.   Enhancing export activities, especially through capacity building in all trade-related areas; and encouraging inter business enterprise linkages, networks and cooperation at national, regional and international levels;

13.   Participate in Trade Negotiations trading arrangements, compatible with the rules of the WTO that removes, progressively, barriers to trade between the parties to the arrangements and enhance cooperation in all areas relevant to trade

14.   Establish a national and international database on trade information networks.

15.   Disseminate to the business community market information and information on all trade agreements to which Zambia is a party.

Promotional Activities

A host of promotional activities have been implemented by ZDA both at home and outside
to raise greater awareness about Zambia’s Non Traditional Exports (NTEs) and the potential in the international market. Some of the activities that have been undertaken are:

• Active participation in specialised and general trade fairs within Zambia and in target
export markets to which suitable export oriented firms are invited
• Conducting research in potential and target markets as a way of expanding Zambia’s
share of the global market.
• Undertaking trade missions in target markets, to identify new vistas of trade for the
Zambian exporter
• Carrying out an annual audit to evaluate and determine the performance of the export
sector in Zambia, after which a comprehensive report is produced indicating the
products, exporting companies, the target markets and the values in terms of foreign
exchange. It also shows the successes, constraints and recommendations
• Collaborating with diplomatic missions
• Organizing training programs and seminars/ workshops on topical issues affecting the
export sector in Zambia.
• Making recommendations to government in areas relating to policy, development and
promotion of non-traditional exports for possible ratification
• Linking exporters to the global market.

The Division makes profitable business connections with the international market by linking Zambian exporters with importers. This is done by providing contact details, price lists product specifications and country profiles of both potential and target markets to which suitable Zambian products are exported. The task is made easier with use of up- to-date and accurate information resource centre that has the following:
• Trade directories
• Product and market reports
• Specialized publications
• Trade points

Other internal publications:
• The classified list of Zambia exporting companies and the country profile on CD-
ROM and in a separate publication
• Audit report on the overall performance of the export sector
• The weekly electronic trade opportunities
• Computer databases
• Brochures

Distribution of the sources is done through a well coordinated system, which has created a rapport between ZDA and its target groups around the world.