Zimbabwe to start making its own number plates

Zimbabwe has announced that it will start manufacturing its own number plates.

Said Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services minister Monica Mutsvangwa after cabinet yesterday:

Cabinet approved the proposal and attendant budget of 1 million U.S. dollars which will result in the establishment of a plant for the local manufacture of number plates.
The proposed number plates will have enhanced features which supersede those of the current number plates but still maintain compliance with SADC (Southern African Development Coordination Conference) regulations.
The new number plates will also meet world design standards that use radio frequency identification tagging to optimize the use of road space, reduce non-compliance, enhance toll and parking authentication, combat vehicle crime, and fight terrorism

Zimbabwe spends USD800,000 importing number plates every year.

Recently, the Zimbabwe Republic Police announced it would start compounding vehicles without permanent number plates. This comes as the plates are at a premium at the Central Vehicle Registry offices.