“Remove Import Duty on Generators”

By Patricia Banda- University College London Researcher Imad Ahmed  has advised government to retain the waiver on import duty on back-up generators for the manufacturing sector in its 2020 National budget.Mr. Ahmed says this is because about 95 percent of industries are using backup generators to mitigate the impact of power outages.He says the Manufacturing Industry needs backup generators to continue with their operations and avoid job losses.Mr. Ahmed was speaking at a public discussion forum programme in Lusaka organized by the International Growth Centre under the theme: nurturing the manufacturing sector.He has also recommended that Parliament allows the Energy Regulation Board -ERB – to regulate ZESCO tariffs to the Copperbelt Energy Corporation to address manufacturers concern.And ERB Research Economist Cletus Sikwanda who was one of the panelists, said there is need for awareness to firms on how they can access low electricity Tariffs like the mines through tariff setting process.Meanwhile, Zambia Development Agency, Director Enterprises Development Mukula Makasa  said there is need for the country to invest in alternatives sources of energy such as biogas.Mr. Makasa was supported by International Growth Centre Country Manager Dennis Chiwele who said there is need to find a lasting solution to the power deficit in the country. Post Views: 10
News Source: ZNBC