by Zivanai Dhewa
Cabinet has noted with concern the continued short supply of basic commodities to members of the public despite increased production by suppliers and has therefore resolved to amend Statutory Instrument 122 to ease the strain on both manufacturers and consumers.
Speaking at a press briefing after a cabinet meeting yesterday, Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa pronounced the resolutions made by cabinet.
“Minister of Industry and Commerce temporarily amends Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017 to allow both companies and individuals with offshore funds and free funds to import specified basic commodities currently in short supply, pending the return to normalcy in buying patterns of the public and adequate restocking by manufacturers,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa added: “The commodities to be imported are animal oils, fats (lard, tallow and dripping); baked beans, body creams, bottled water, cement, cereals, cheese, coffee creamers, cooking oil, crude soya bean oil, fertiliser, finished steel roofing sheets, wheat, wheat flour, ice cream; jams; juice blends, margarine, mayonnaise; packaging materials, peanut butter, pizza base, potato crisps, salad creams, shoe polish, soap, sugar, synthetic hair products, wheel barrow and wheelbarrow parts, and agrochemicals and stock feeds.”
Cabinet further resolved that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe supports the productive sector through forex allocation to ensure they adequately stock up for the upcoming festive season.
Speaking at the same press briefing, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Minister Sekesai Senza said, “It’s not that we do not support local industry, we do. However, this is only a temporary situation to ease the pain the public is going through.”
Minister Mutsvangwa revealed that Cabinet was briefed on the 2019 Pre-Budget Strategy Paper drawn from the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, highlighting on some priority areas to include, Fiscal consolidation, Agriculture, Mining, Manufacturing, Service sectors, SMEs development, Empowerment of provinces, Addressing rent-seeking and corrupt behaviours, Re-engagement and Competitiveness of the local export sector.
