Pick and Pay – PnP stores across Zambia now Stock about 80% locally produced goods. Speaking at a high-level meeting on access to markets for Agricultural and local businesses held with the Zambia Development Agency – ZDA, PnP General Manager Mark Vickery said the store has 80% locally produced goods with 21 local suppliers and has over 2,000 residents employed in the 19 stores across the country.
He has however stressed challenges faced with suppliers, which include packaging, quality issues and inconsistency among others. He added that PnP is committed to continue engaging and educating local suppliers till they meet the required standards.
ZDA has launched an incubation support program aimed at consolidating the partnership arrangement that the Agency has developed with the markets to facilitate access for smallholder farmers, cooperatives and Micro,Small and Medium Enterprises – MSME’s.
Speaking during a high-level meeting on access to markets for Agricultural businesses held in Lusaka on May 2nd, 2019 attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, ZDA Board Chairperson Mary N’cube said the Agency believes that for sustainable investment to be a reality, there is need to ensure that local entrepreneurs participate.
She said is it important for entrepreneurs to adhere to the required quality standards for the products in order to enhance competitiveness, reduce technical barriers to trade and facilitate access to markets.
“I am confident that through the incubation support program that is being launched today the performance of our MSME’s will be enhanced and maintaining the quality that the market demands will sustain MSME’s business through order,” said N’cube
And Ministry of Commerce Permanent Secretary Kayula Saime said the ministry has noted challenges faced by the chain store and suppliers hence its keen to facilitate and manage linkages among local producers so that their supply to chain stoles can increase.
“I am impressed that there is an increase in the number of locally produced foods being sold in chain stores operating in the country, and I can also assure you that ministry is also working at exporting local products through chain stores,” Siame said.
She added the ministry will work with the corporative and local businesses to assist producers increase their production so that they can provide enough quantities to chain stores adding that it will also ensure that local products are well packaged to meet international standards.
She reiterated that the ministry will put measures and address challenges faced by local producers which include quality of goods, consistence of supply and packaging.
