Zimbabwe now rely on thousands of cross-border shoppers who go to countries like South Africa, Botswana and now even Mozambique to buy basic commodities. The government does not seem to know how to solve the food situation. Recently the government introduced a food hampers scheme, which does not seem to have helped the food situation in the country.
Zimbabwe's Internet Grocery shops have also helped the food situation in the country by providing access to Zimbabweans in the diaspora to buy food for their families back home.
Now, in an effort to improve the food situation in the country, the government has suspended import duty on basic commodities. Zimbabwe is now an economy supported by imported goods from other countries.
According to a statutory Instrument in an Extra-Ordinary government Gazette, the Minister of Finance, Samuel Mumbengegwi suspended duty on cooking oil, margarine, rice, flour, salt, bath and laundry soap among other products.
The Zimbabwean economy is now being sustained by cross-border shoppers. Some people now do their monthly shopping in South Africa or Botswana. Some go to Mozambique for their shopping. How things have changed in Zimbabwe?
Cross-border shoppers go through some difficult times in their journeys but they have to sustain their families.
Import Duty has also been suspended on the following products, washing powder, tooth paste, petroleum jelly, maize flour, wheat flour and beauty or make-up products. The suspension will run until 31st of December.
No doubt this will be welcome relief to Zimbabwe's cross border shoppers, but what about the future of the local industry. The government has realised that it has failed the people of Zimbabwe. Which way now Zimbabwe?
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