Zim govt cancels import and export licences

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce has cancelled all import and Export licences with effect from last week.

Industry and Commerce minister Mike Bimha said holders of the old import and export licences were required to surrender them to the ministry for prompt replacement with a newly designed version.

Bimha said licences would now be issued against the names of individual, and companies involved in the production and resale of goods to the public.

"Importers and exporters are strongly advised not to confirm and load consignment to the border before they have obtained all necessary documents.

"Importers of sugar intended for repackaging must also produce at premises, health and hygiene pre - clearance certificate from the Ministry of Health and Child Care," Bimha said.

He said to avoid delays in processing of applications; companies were requested to attach their most recent, fully utilised licences, copies of their profoma invoices and planned importation schedules.

Zimbabwe is faced with a rising tide of cheap imports from which local industry is under severe stress.

Statistics from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) showed that while the country's exports improved last year to $2,3 billion in the nine months to September, imports rose to US$6,6 billion.

South Africa, the continent's leading economy, remains Zimbabwe's main source of imports, contributing more than 50%.

Main imports are fuel, fertiliser, petroleum oils, motor vehicles, mobile phone handsets and accessories, live animals and animal products, fresh products, including ceramic products as well as foodstuffs.