CZI gathers input for local content policy

Published: 20 September 2017

INDUSTRY representative body, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), is seeking input from manufacturing companies on the formulation of the local content policy.

The Government and the private sector are agreed on the need to craft a local content policy that will replace Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016, which was formulated in June last year to control imports and assist local industry revival.

CZI chief executive officer, Mr Clifford Sileya said a committee has been put in place to come up with a list of prioritised products.

"There is a prioritisation committee, which is co-chaired by the chair of industrialisation committee that is expected to come up with the first list of prioritised products."

In order to assist with the rapid results programme process, Mr Sileya requested companies to provide information relating to the gross national demand for the product value and units and installed capacity units and value.

Industry would also be required to recommend the capacity utilisation to be set to absorb the present capacity without creating market shortages.

Input will also be required in determining the threshold of local content that would ensure local products get preferential uptake on the market.

Recently stakeholders in different sectors noted that some products of some companies have not been certified by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe.

In the context of the local content framework, it has also been noted that there is a need to look at localising production to set standards in every sector to promote industrialisation.

During the 7th Annual Buy Local Summit and Investment Forum held in Victoria Falls in July, participants also resolved that the country needs to craft a local content legislation to drive industrialisation across the value chain.

The forum noted that while Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 had brought some positives towards economic turnaround, there was a need to come up with a local content policy to address the legislation's shortcomings.
- online

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