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Govt issues 725 import licences

Business
GOVERNMENT has issued 725 import licenses for various products worth over $80 million in the three weeks up to July 12, as it moves to regulate imports.

GOVERNMENT has issued 725 import licenses for various products worth over $80 million in the three weeks up to July 12, as it moves to regulate imports.

BY BUSINESS REPORTER

Deputy-Minister-Chiratidzo-Mabuwa

The licences were issued from June 17 to July 12.

Speaking at the Shipping and Forwarding Agents’ Association of Zimbabwe annual conference yesterday in Harare, deputy Industry and Commerce minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa said most of the products are under some credit arrangements.

“Most of the products are being sourced under some credit arrangements ranging between 30 to 90 days. This has made it easier for both local and foreign companies to source goods for resale on the Zimbabwean market,” she said in a speech read on her behalf by a representative from the ministry.

Mabuwa said the removal of certain products from open general import licence does not mean a total ban, after government promulgated regulations restricting the importation of certain products. Under the new regulations, Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016, those willing to import restricted products have to get permits, but after satisfying the ministry on why they should be allowed to import the products. The permit costs $30 and is valid for three months.

Mabuwa said the ministry will monitor demand for the respective products vis-a-vis the capacity of local manufacturing companies and allow importation of products, whose supply was inadequate.

The import ban has been met with resistance forcing government to allow importation of products, for personal use without the requirement for an import licence.

Mabuwa said a monitoring and evaluation committee has been put in place to monitor the implementation of the import management programme.

She said the committee, compromises of stakeholders from government, the private sector, and the academia. A monitoring and evaluation framework was developed and the committee would generate monthly progress reports on the implementation of the programme, Mabuwa said.