The Zambia Forest and Saw Millers Association has called on government to impose a ban on importation of timber into the country.
Association President Davies Kabamba says the foreign timber illegally being smuggled in the country is a threat to the timber sector as it is cheaper compared to the locally produced timber.
In an interview with Phoenix News, Mr. Kabamba explains that this situation has affected cash flow of local timber dealers who have opted to close down business, resulting in job losses from transporters of the logs to workers at the saw mills.
Mr. Kabamba has warned that the foreign timber on the local market poses a threat to the construction sector hence the need for government to urgently address this matter to protect local jobs in the industry