MCC Market Compact to boost Zambia’s Agric export potential – ALBRIGHT
By Masauso Mkwayaya
The Millennium Challenge Corporation -MCC- says the US$491-million Farm to Market Compact, signed yesterday between Zambia and the U.S. Government, will boost the export potential of Zambian agricultural produce.
MCC Chief Executive Officer, ALICE ALBRIGHT says the project complements other U.S. Government initiatives, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act -AGOA.
Ms. ALBRIGHT says the increased export potential of agricultural products would benefit from programmes like AGOA.
Speaking in an Exclusive interview with ZNBC News, Ms. ALBRIGHT said while the Farm to Market project is not formally part of AGOA, it is complementary and increases export opportunities.
The MCC Chief Executive Officer also said one of the Zambian businesses she engaged with is already exporting to the United States.
She expressed optimism that the project will deliver structural changes in the identified agricultural areas.
Ms. ALBRIGHT said part of the work will involve reforming how the Food Reserve Agency -FRA- operates and interacts with the market.
She further said opening up FRA to the private sector is under consideration to ensure the scaling up of Zambia’s agriculture sector.
Ms. ALBRIGHT urged those involved in the project to work diligently as the five-year initiative kicks off.
She said the preparatory phase, which includes setting up systems and hiring staff, will be underway between now and December.
(Image credit MCC)
