eBusiness Weekly
BH24 Reporters
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s trade promotion body, ZimTrade says manufacturers should produce competitive products which can match international standards as the body seeks to grow the country`s regional footprint.
“We are looking at opening regional markets before we make exports to the European Union,” ZimTrade chief executive officer Allan Mujuru said during the 2018 ZimTrade Exporters’ Conference in Harare recently.
This comes as the body recently announced plans to tap into Botswana’s $6 billion import bill as the neighbouring country has abounding opportunities and is ready for Zimbabwean products.
Mr Mujuru highlighted the need for removal of stringent regulations on local industry in a bid to improve the country`s export sector.
“One key issue is the reduction in cost of doing business and removal of stringent regulations and procedures for us to grow export business, most of the rules that govern our exports are not there and that is our benchmark.
“What we are lobbying for as ZimTrade is the streamlining those export procedures that are stifling business so that people do not spend more time at their companies some of the products that are requiring export permits do not require export permits,”
This comes as President Mnangagwa has announced that the country will soon unveil critical pieces of legislation including the new Industrial Development Policy, as the drive towards an export-led industrialisation agenda gathers momentum.
“The new Industrial Development Policy, National Trade Policy and the National Export Strategy that will drive Zimbabwe’s export-led industrialisation agenda, will soon be unveiled for implementation.
“Zimbabwe wants to boost exports and fight the widening trade deficit, which rose by 34 percent to $1,26 billion between February to June 2018,” said President Mnangagwa
