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Monalisa Chikwengo

THE Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) has announced plans to undertake a comprehensive review of the auction and contract compliance frameworks ahead of the 2023/24 production and marketing season with a view to identify areas needing improvements to enhance their efficiency, transparency and overall effectiveness. 

In a statement directed to licenced auction floors, buyers, tobacco associations, contractors, TIMB staff members, the board and tobacco leaf exporters’ associations, TIMB said all stakeholders in the tobacco industry who had suggestions and feedback on areas that have been identified for review needed to submit their suggestions by May 31, 2023. 

The auction system compliance framework is aimed at ensuring responsible and sustainable production and marketing of tobacco established by independent farmers.

“In your review suggestions, you are encouraged to extensively look at issues that concern sustainable tobacco production and traceability,” TIMB said in the statement.

This collaborative approach is expected to yield valuable insights and recommendations that will help strengthen the auction and contract compliance frameworks and ultimately support the growth and sustainability of the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe.

The contracting compliance administration framework was introduced with the main aim of ensuring that contracting is done in a fair, transparent, orderly and sustainable way.

“As we move towards refining the framework, stakeholders are requested to submit their recommendations, highlighting areas that need to be reviewed or other important issues that need to be included in the document,” continued TIMB. 

The tobacco industry is one of the cornerstones of Zimbabwe’s economy, hence ensuring that the frameworks are effective and efficient is essential for the industry’s continued growth and success.

“The outcome of the review is eagerly anticipated, as it is expected to have a significant impact on the industry’s performance in the upcoming season, and its long-term sustainability,” said TIMB.

The statement comes at a time the 2023 tobacco marketing season is in full swing with farmers having sold 218 million kilogrammes of the golden leaf worth US$654 million at both the auction and contract floors by Day 51. 

The season is going on smoothly.