Zimbabwe allows citizens to import basic commodities

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Finance and Economic Development Prof Mthuli Ncube has announced that locals with free funds will be allowed to import basic commodities.

He says the measure is in light of rapid price increases on the local market.

In a statement, Ncube said, “To further ensure that citizens have access to affordable basic commodities, in the face of recent substantial price increases in the shops, the government hereby opens up imports of basic commodities by citizens, through the lowering of import tariffs and other accompanying measures.

“This is with immediate effect. Those with free funds are, with immediate effect, permitted to make use of these funds and other resources to import basic commodities.”

The statement dropped late at night also included an incentive for early delivery of grain to the Grain Marketing Board.

“In the quest to incentivise farmers and encourage early deliveries of maize and other grains to the Grain Marketing Board, government has taken the decision to pay the maize farmers 30% of the amount due on grain delivered in United States Dollars and 70% in domestic Zimbabwe dollars'” The statement continued.

“The USDollar payment will be calculated at the prevailing willing buyer willing seller rate published by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe on the date of delivery. The payments will be backdated to the date of the first deliveries of this season’s maize to GMB.” it ended.