Policy analyst calls for export of services to earn Zambia foreign exchange

Zambia needs to take advantage of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) protocols to start exporting various services in view of the increased number of graduates being offloaded on the market every year.

Protocol on Trade in Services entered into force on January 13, 2022.

Shadreck Saili, a policy analyst, observed that Zambia had become a production hub of many expertise in various fields which could not be absorbed by the country alone.

He pointed out in an interview on Tuesday in Lusaka that time had come for Zambia to start exporting services and earn the country the much-needed foreign exchange.

“I urge Zambians to take advantage of the SADC protocols to export a service. This is because we have become a hub of producing good professionals such as medical doctors, engineers, teachers, accountants and architect among others.

“Some of these fields produce a lot of people than what the country requires. Therefore, it is important to make use of the protocols so that the country can supply labour to other member states,” Saili said.

He cited countries that were taking advantage of the export of services to other countries such as Zimbabwe.

Saili said Zimbabwe in its hardest times had been relying mostly on money that comes from the services provided through expertise that are exported outside the country.

He said most people that went to provide services outside the country did not forget about their home country.

“Our economy is small to ensure that everyone that trained is employed within,” Saili said.

He said windows of protocols that provide services outside the country improve trade.

Saili said previously much had been talked about trade in goods but time had come to put emphasis on trade of services.

Saili is a policy analyst with interests in developmental Studies, industrialisation and regional integration.

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