ZimTrade on export opportunities for local firms

TRADE promotion body ZimTrade has compiled trade and export data for five regional countries, in an effort to boost local companies’ access to export markets.

The countries that have been covered are Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia. ZimTrade chief executive officer Mrs Sithembile Pilime said there were a number of opportunities from these countries that local companies can tap into.

“Opportunities in Tanzania are in pharmaceuticals, agriculture, construction, engineering, clothing and textile and leather and footwear,” said Mrs Pilime.

She said Zambia was as a potential market for mining supplies, manufacturing inputs, agricultural implements and professional services while Angola has a market for dairy products, poultry and eggs, fresh produce (vegetables and fruits) and pork products.

The country is seeking to penetrate more markets to boost exports as it seeks to increase trade and boost local companies.

Zimbabwe’s largest export market is South Africa, which constituted about 70 percent of the country’s exports in 2015.

However, Mrs Pilime said a number of regulations and permits, fees associated with regulations, different and scattered offices for export documentation and long periods of processing permits and approvals were some of the reasons for low exports from Zimbabwean companies.

Meanwhile, speaking at an export seminar held in Bulawayo last week, an official with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority said companies and individuals should familiarise themselves with trade agreements that were signed between Zimbabwe and other countries in the region.

The official said agreements require that the products should contain at least 25 percent local content to qualify as originating from the trading country.

Zimra also added that exporters should be aware of export documentation and the registration of companies for trade.