Government messed up on import ban

Trade and Industry Permanent Secretary Abigail Shonhiwa has said the controversial import restriction measures  are only targeted at commercial imports and not individuals.

According to state media, Shonhiwa admitted that statutory instrument number 64 of 2016 caused chaos.

"There was no clarity and there has been confusion regarding the statutory instrument," she told delegates at the Sixth Buy Local summit in Mutare today

"However, communication will be made, this policy is for commercial imports and not someone bringing in their 2litres of cooking oil or whatever product that is on that list," she said.

She said the policy did not bar people from importing a few products as has been the assumption.

Some of the products that now require import permits, including justification for importing them, include but are not limited to potato crisps, bottled water, baked beans, salad cream, peanut butter, yoghurt, doors, window frames and a variety of plastic pipes.

On Wednesday Zanu PF's Politburo  endorsed the enactment of Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 saying the regulations would resuscitate ailing industries by fighting unfair competition from foreign products.