ZAMBIA and the Democratic Republic of Congo have accelerated efforts to implement the Simplified Trade Regime (STR). The STR seeks to simplify clearance procedures for small-scale traders and ensure they benefit from preferential trade rates. In a statement, Tuesday, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry Principal Public Relations Officer Everness Nankala stated that the two countries were operationalising a transformative trade facilitation instrument. “The Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are accelerating efforts to implement the Simplified Trade Regime (STR), with both governments describing it as a key driver for empowering small-scale cross-border traders, especially women and youth. After more than seven years of bilateral engagement and negotiations, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo are now...