LUSAKA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Zambian President Rupiah Banda says Africa will not develop unless measures to eliminate trader border barriers are put in place, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Friday.

    Banda said in southern Zambia's Livingstone city on Wednesday at the official opening of a new complex by South African chain stores Shoprite Checkers that the world needs commerce and diversification of trade for competitiveness and reduction of poverty.

    "You cannot grow Africa unless you break the trade barriers currently hampering economic development. We need to have a borderless Africa in terms of trade," Banda was quoted as saying.

    The Zambian president said in a speech read on behalf of him by the country's Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Felix Mutati that it was encouraging that the South African chain store had found confidence in Zambia, going by its expansion program in the country.

    He said the South African chain store's investment of 14. 4 million U. S. dollars in the construction of another branch in Livingstone was a milestone in the economic diversification and growth for Africa.

    The Zambian president said his administration will continue to provide incentives to support investment and economic growth, adding that the country needs to stabilize its economy as a basis for supporting the private sector to do business.

    Speaking on the same occasion, Shoprite Group of Companies Chief Executive Officer Whitey Basson urged governments in the region to eliminate trade barriers, saying bureaucratic systems had been frustrating prospective investors.

    He said for Africa to reach the target of 10 percent of trade volume in the world, governments should open up borders for trade. Africa only accounts for 3 percent of world trade.

Special Report:  Global Financial Crisis