Published: 11 October 2013

THE abuse of the SADC trading protocols is on the rise as most goods that are being purported to have been manufactured in the region are actually coming from some continents as far as Asia, delegates attending the Confederation Zimbabwe Industries congress have heard.

As a result, this is exposing the local producers to unfair competition with foreign companies.

The practice, the congress heard was prevalent in products such as chickens and clothing items. Firms outside the SADC free trade agreement were reportedly using South Africa as a gateway for their goods into Zimbabwe under SADC rules of origin.

Addressing delegates on separate sessions in Bulawayo last week, economist Dr Eric Bloch and Zimplow group chief executive Mr Zondi Kumwenda said the practice should be halted through imposition of anti dumping laws to level the playing field.

"Not all protocols are bad but there has been serious abuse of the SADC certificate of origin where goods from China are ‘originating from South Africa,"said Mr Kumwenda.

"This has to be stopped by putting serious anti-dumping tariffs."
- herald