ZDA clinches US$12.22m deals in DRC trade outing

By BUUMBA CHIMBULU

BUSINESS volumes amounting to US$12.22 million have been recorded by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) from the recent Trade Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
ZDA last month under took a trade mission in DRC’s Hauti Katanga Province with a delegation of 40 companies with a goal of enhancing Zambia’s non-traditional exports (NTEs) and to secure market access for Zambian products.
This is according to a statement issued by ZDA’s Head of Communications and Public Relations, Kwali Mfuni.
The break down comprised of spot sales amounting to US$23, 360, confirmed orders of US$998, 300 and trade leads worth US$11.20 million.
The orders include the supply of cooking oil, tea, cleaning chemicals, treated poles, cereals, honey, groundnuts, fertiliser, cigarettes, engineering equipment, Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and services such as mining consultancy to DRC from 40 Zambian companies that participated in the 2024 trade mission.
In addition, the trade mission recorded leads for Zambian companies to partner with DRC companies as a strategy to promote and sustain entry into the DRC market.
Commenting on results of the trade mission, ZDA Director General, Albert Halwampa said the DRC and Hauti Katanga Province in particular, are an important market for Zambia.
Mr Halwampa commended businesses that participated in the trade mission and urged them to ensure that they fulfil the orders and pursue leads to convert them into actual transactions and partnerships.
“The DRC continues to be a lucrative and accessible market for Zambian products including supermarket products, mining supplies, assorted agricultural inputs and PPE supplies,” he said.
The objectives of the trade mission were to enhance Zambia ‘s presence in the DRC, increase the number of companies with an understanding of the size and dynamics of the DRC Market, support companies to showcase their products, maintain the current foothold in the DRC market and establish new and future business relations.
It was also an opportunity to undertake business to business meetings between Zambian companies and their Congolese counterparts.