Following widespread criticism of its import control bills, the Zimbabwean government is setting up a monitoring and evaluation team to assess the effects of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 (SI64) on the local business sector.
Based on the outcome of the assessment, it will “make improvements according to recommendations from stakeholders", said Zimbabwe’s Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mike Bimha.
Speaking at a Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries SI64 breakfast meeting in Harare yesterday (Tuesday), Bimha said companies that had been negatively affected by SI64 could approach government for solutions.
Bimha’s remarks follow a visit to Harare earlier this month by SA Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, to discuss the trade restrictive measures that Zimbabwe has introduced over the past five years.
During the visit, Bimha underscored the importance of South Africa as one of Zimbabwe’s main trading partners and agreed to work with the country to address its concerns.
The Statutory Instrument removed 42 products from the open general import licence, restricting their importation into Zimbabwe in a bid to protect local production.
The implementation of SI64 in June this year led to violent protests on both sides of the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
