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.”
