Zambia suspends importation of industrial sugar

Zambian government has suspended all importation of industrial sugar until new modalities of bringing the commodity in the country are put in place, Zambia Daily Mail reported on Thursday.

It quoted Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Davidson Chilipamushi as saying here Wednesday that the modalities of issuing of any further permits in imports of industrial sugar will be based on inter-sector consultations and decisions.

He said in a statement that with regard to the sugar that have crossed the border the government has taken measures to ensure that is availed to manufactures other than consumers.

"It has been noted that certain businessmen have taken advantage of the effects of the strong kwacha to import industrial sugar without following the laid down guidelines and regulations which has created some difficulties in the sugar industry," he said.

Chilipamushi also said the government has discovered that persons and certain companies are importing industrial sugar and selling it for domestic use contrary to the fortification law number 155 of 1998 which requires that domestic sugar be fortified with Vitamin A.

Source: Xinhua