FINANCE minister Patrick Chinamasa yesterday said business should increase capacity utilisation and clamp down on cheap imports coming into the country.
REPORT BY TARISAI MANDIZHA
Addressing captains of industry at the Zimra Taxpayers’ Appreciation Day commemorations in Harare, Chinamasa said the country had suffered and been reduced to a warehouse of “everything”, adding that this should stop.
Capacity Utilisation 2008-2012
“I advise captains of industry and commerce to increase industrial capacity utilisation to boost production,” Chinamasa said.
“I understand we have suffered, we have lost ground and we have been reduced to become a warehouse of everything from sweet potatoes, okra and tomatoes.”
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He said Zimbabwe should clamp down on cheap imports that were currently coming into the country. The minister said government was prioritising the revitalisation of all sectors of the economy to boost production and revive industries that have ceased operations.
“As you all appreciate, the illegal economic sanctions have severely constrained the manufacturing sector, especially in the textile and clothing sub-sectors,” Chinamasa said.
He said government was ready to support the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra)in its quest to improve infrastructure and facilities, especially at the border posts, in order to enhance convenience to the transacting public.
Chinamasa said government would unveil, next month, policies which support and broaden the industry.
He said government had “prudently and frugally” used tax revenue for the provision of social services and amenities in order to keep the country going due to compliant taxpayers.
“It became increasingly necessary for the country to mobilise resources more efficiently, a goal we achieved by establishing the Zimra in 2001 as part of our economic reform programme,” Chinamasa said.
“It is, therefore, befitting for the nation to honour taxpayers who have been contributing to the national purse, thereby making it possible for the government to provide essential social services and amenities.”
He said there was need to cultivate a culture of complying with revenue laws to exhort each other to pay taxes on time and in full.
