CHINA has announced a zero-tariff policy on imports from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to Beijing, a development that has excited debate on whether Zambia can benefit from this opening. Economist Dr Trevor Hambayi argues that Zambia must own at least 60 per cent of its mines and establish direct marketing links with China if it is to enjoy the full benefit of this policy. Economist Bright Chizonde, on the other hand, says Zambia should suspend the export of raw materials if it wants to correct the trade imbalance and force value addition. Both arguments speak to a real problem: Zambia exports too little value and imports too much finished wealth. But the question is not whether Zambia needs...
