News / National
Private sector behind import ban - Bimha
16 Aug 2016 at 07:50hrs | Views
The controversial statutory instrument 64, SI64, that restricts importation of basic goods was recommended by the private sector, a cabinet minister has said.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha on Monday said the policy was part of recommendations made by the private sector as a way of addressing challenges they were facing.
Bimha said the policy was a temporary measure.
"The Statutory Instrument 64 is part of recommendations from the business sector made 12 months ago" he told a breakfast meeting in Harare.
" When I became minister, I consulted the private sector on what they thought could be done to address the challenges they were facing.
"We then involved other players in the industry such as the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, among others, to identify products that would be put on the restriction list.
"Business associations also carried out another survey and identified products that were in sufficient quantities and that is how we crafted the SI 64," he said.
According to Bimha companies should not take advantage of the measures to fire workers.
"SI64 is not meant for companies to shed labour where companies get adverse effects. We need to strike a balance. You should come and talk to us. We need to find ways of making sure companies survive and continue to comply. I would not dream that this policy would affect so and so in this manner."
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha on Monday said the policy was part of recommendations made by the private sector as a way of addressing challenges they were facing.
Bimha said the policy was a temporary measure.
"The Statutory Instrument 64 is part of recommendations from the business sector made 12 months ago" he told a breakfast meeting in Harare.
" When I became minister, I consulted the private sector on what they thought could be done to address the challenges they were facing.
"We then involved other players in the industry such as the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, among others, to identify products that would be put on the restriction list.
"Business associations also carried out another survey and identified products that were in sufficient quantities and that is how we crafted the SI 64," he said.
According to Bimha companies should not take advantage of the measures to fire workers.
"SI64 is not meant for companies to shed labour where companies get adverse effects. We need to strike a balance. You should come and talk to us. We need to find ways of making sure companies survive and continue to comply. I would not dream that this policy would affect so and so in this manner."
Source - Byo24News
