CHIPOKA Mulenga is not calling for price controls; what the minister is advocating for is fair pricing that reflects the current macroeconomic environment, says the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. On Monday, the Commerce Minister insisted that producers have the moral obligation to pass Kwacha appreciation benefits on to consumers. He added that he planned to suggest to Cabinet a uniform price across the country for essential commodities such as fertiliser and cooking oil, among others, to ensure that benefits are passed on to consumers. Following this statement, several stakeholders opposed the idea of price controls. Economist Trevor Hambayi argued that introducing price controls on certain commodities would tamper with the country’s ability to attract investment, as it contradicts...
