Zimbabwe – import hungry but the product mix has changed

DUNCAN BONNETT “Zimbabwe is still a key importer but the composition of its imports has changed dramatically over the past few years from being dominated by engineering supplies, steel, motor vehicles and household appliances to seeing greater exports of basic foodstuffs and energy products.” But there are pockets of prosperity within the decaying economy, says Bonnett. “Zimplats – the platinum mining industry – for example operates almost as its own niche economy, importing a lot of capital goods and inputs simply because it is a ring-fenced economy that operates on its own. “A lot of the other mining companies have folded but platinum continues to hold its own.” And Bonnett is confident that once there’s a change of regime, rehabilitation will not be a lengthy process. “The infrastructure is decaying but it is still a lot better than most other countries in the region. The bottom line on Zimbabwe is that you have a better educated workforce than most countries in the region and you also have a lot of Zimbabweans keen to go back when there is a change. And they’ll take back the work experience they have gained so you won’t have a repeat of the situation in Angola and Mozambique at independence where almost the entire educated workforce left permanently.”