Manufactures cheer Govt on import restrictions

Source: Manufactures cheer Govt on import restrictions | The Sunday Mail Jul 3, 2016

INDUSTRIES, especially manufacturers who have been struggling under the weight of increased imports, are confident that the restrictive measures adopted by Government will help them regain a foothold on the local market.The Personal Care Manufacturers Association of Zimbabwe (PCMAZ) — which is made of companies such as Crown Health Care, Datlabs, Kubi, Plus Five Pharmaceuticals, Prochem and Vaida — said Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 was a step in the right direction.

Under the current regulations, Government has reviewed the list of goods that can be imported through the general import licence.

It is now difficult to import goods that can ideally be produced by local companies.

Consumptive goods such as bottled water, sugar, soap cooking oil, mobile phones, electronics, vehicle spare parts, clothing and second hand vehicles; which account for 70 percent of the import bill, are no longer covered by the general import licence.

Likewise, second hand tyres, twines, threads, shoe polish, fertilizers, tiles and roofing materials, flash doors, beds, wardrobes, dining room suites and office furniture have become difficult to import.

Last week, PCMAZ said its companies can ably supply the local market.

“We would like to thank Government and Ministry of Industry and Commerce in particular for supporting local manufacturing by gazetting Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016.

“We would like to reassure the Zimbabwean market that we have the capacity to satisfy all local demand with world class quality and competitively priced personal care products such as camphor creams, body creams and lotions,” said PCMAZ in a statement.

Industry estimates that the country has spent more than US$50 billion importing sundry items such as toothpicks, onions, tomatoes and apples in the past seven years.

Figures from the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency show that the trend spilled to this year despite measures adopted in the 2016 National Budget to stem the tide.

During the first quarter of 2016, the country imported apples worth US$1 million, US$317 000 worth of chewing gum, and skin care products valued at US$3 million. Mineral water imports stood at US$690 000.