The United Kingdom – UK stands to lose more than Zambia economically following the recently announced travel ban to and from Zambia, according to the Economic Association of Zambia – EAZ.
The UK recently issued a travel ban to and from Southern African countries, Zambia inclusive because of the second wave of covid, a move that has left some Zambian citizens concerned more especially on the resultant impact on businesses as well as Zambia’s economy in general.
In an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, EAZ President Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka stated that “Any restriction in the movement of people might have an effect on the movement of goods and capital between two countries and definitely the travel ban will have a negative impact on both countries.”
However, Haabazoka disclosed that, the UK is [currently] not a significant trade partner to Zambia and as such, people should not expect huge negative impact on Zambia’s economy.
He also added that trade between Zambia and the UK is one sided as it’s mostly the Zambian people and businesses who are usually buying things from the UK on such platforms as Ebay which are then shipped into Zambia.
Haabazoka said that the ban will have limited affect on Zambia because its major trading partners are China and South Africa, thus it’s the UK that stands to lose out more on this ban.
Haabazoka said that “it’s very unfortunate that the UK decided to issue a travel ban on Zambia when it should be the other way round, because it’s public knowledge and everyone is aware that the second wave started from the UK. Their cases are very high compared to Zambia.
The UK government stated that “From 4am on Saturday 9 January, visitors arriving into the UK who have been in or transited through Zambia in the previous 10 days will not be permitted entry. British and Irish citizens, and third country nationals with residence rights in the UK arriving in the UK from Zambia need to self-isolate on their return”.
Other southern African countries apart from Zambia and South Africa currently included on the banned list include Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique and Angola — as well as Seychelles and Mauritius.
