Lack of direct flights from source markets is stifling the country’s potential to reap maximum benefits from tourist arrivals, an expert said on Monday.
Most airlines flying into Zimbabwe do not have direct flights into the country. Major source markets include Europe, the United States and Asia.

Business Reporter
Rainbow Tourism Group has embarked on a major refurbishment drive that is set to bring a refreshing look to the facilities run by the leisure group, chief executive Mr Tendai Madzivanyika has said.

Business Reporter
STANDARDS Association of Zimbabwe director-general Mrs Eve Gadzikwa has been elected chairperson of the Institute of Directors Zimbabwe.
She takes over from Mr Johannes Mudzengerere, who has been IoDZ chairman for the past three years.

Martin Kadzere Senior Business Reporter
THE bio-diesel plant in Mt Hampden, about 15 kilomtres northwest of Harare, could remain a white elephant after experiments showed that the jatropha plant cannot be sustainably run on a commercial basis.

JOHANNESBURG. — South African inflation remained unchanged at 5,9 percent in April, official data showed yesterday, on the eve of a central bank decision on interest rates.
The consumer price index remained perilously high for the third month in a row, Statistics South Africa said.

NICOSIA. — Cyprus’s central bank governor said yesterday the country’s teetering economy could fall deeper into recession than previously thought.
“Risks to the outlook are substantial and tilted to the downside,” Panicos Demetriades said in a prepared speech to certified public accountants.

LAGOS. — One of Nigeria’s leading telecommunications companies, Etisalat, has signed a US$1,2 billion medium-term syndicated loan facility to finance its network expansion plans.

BRUSSELS. — European leaders targeted yesterday setting a year-end deadline to do away with banking secrecy, hoping to recoup a trillion euros in lost tax each year in a time of record recession and unemployment.

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Business Reporter
INSURANCE giant NicozDiamond shareholders yesterday approved a proposal by the listed insurance group to buy back fractional shares in the market after the implementation of the scheme was contested by the Securities Commission of Zimbabwe last year.

Golden Sibanda Senior Business Reporter
GOVERNMENT will repeal the Mines and Minerals Act because the current legislation was archaic, representing the interests of former colonial masters, Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu has said.

Business Reporters
GOVERNMENT has set an interim producer price for maize at US$310 per tonne, up from US$295, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Dr Joseph Made said yesterday.