Buy Zim appreciates goods import control The control of imported goods will pave way for local ones to be produced sufficiently
The control of imported goods will pave way for local ones to be produced sufficiently

The control of imported goods will pave way for local ones to be produced sufficiently

Kipson Gundani

Buy Zimbabwe would like to appreciate the issuance of SI 64 0f 2016 on Control of Goods (Open General Import Licence) (No.2) (Amendment) Notice, 2016 (No.8) which seeks to control the import of goods that are being locally produced or can be locally produced sufficiently. This timely intervention comes at a time when the country is suffering from the debilitating effects of an unsustainable import bill.While this characterisation of our economic state of affairs may seem a bit stretched and even a little harsh to our country, on closer examination it feels very close to what has been going on over the past five years.

It is common cause that a country that fails to reign on its import bill against declining export income is surely and certainly digging its own grave. Even those who could import tonnes and tonnes of anything foreign suddenly are realising that without a thriving local economy that is supported by a robust industry, gains can only be short-lived.

In real terms our import bill remains very high and unsustainable, averaging 7billion annually since 2011. As a country we chose to send hard earned money to foreign lands rather than invest in creating jobs and wealth at a time most of our graduates are failing to secure gainful employment.

The sad part is that by pursuing this pro–foreign policy at the expense of local, we are killing the hen that lays the golden egg.

Over the past years, and against the odds, there have been tremendous improvements in the related industry’s capacity to produce and as such a temporary reprieve to allow a level playing field on the local market is an appropriate response.

The real issue is that given the current priorities, liquidity crunch and numerous trade barriers that have been put on a country that is using the United States Dollar at the moment, we need to preserve on the monies we have.

We cannot allow a situation that sees industry close, agriculture collapse, unemployment rise, government fail to pay suppliers and yet our appetite for externalising money keep growing.

At some point, all things will grind to a halt.

As Buy Zimbabwe we have also repeatedly affirmed that ultimately it’s about building our competitiveness and enhancing sensitivity to market forces. However we should bear in mind that markets are a critical factor of production and we should not be blind to practices in those countries that we trade with, not only do they offer huge subsidies, they also have robust strong local procurement laws.

Buy Zimbabwe commends the Minister for taking heed of the Buy Local message and also encourages Buy Zimbabwe partners like Cairns, National Foods, Nestle, Dairibord, Lyons and many others to take advantage of these measures and significantly increase production. As said before, Buy Zimbabwe requires boldness on the part of the Government to say no more unnecessary imports and this is just the right beginning. As we gear towards the 6th Buy Local Summit from 6 – 8 July in Mutare, we will interrogate this deeper and look for further alternatives to Make and Buy Zimbabwe and more importantly move beyond words to action.

Buy Zimbabwe — For Wealth, Jobs and Pride!!!

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