Bernard Mutambudzi

The country's trade facilitation agency, Zimtrade says it is working on a website portal that has a list of all agencies which are exporting goods, Zimtrade official has revealed.

Speaking today during a Committee on Trade Facilitation meeting held in Harare, Allan Majuru, Zimtrade Chief Executive Officer said investment more in exports was the best way for the country.

"Zimtrade is encouraging trade agencies to take advantage of reforms by the new administration so that they are able to compete in the market," he said.

The 2011 World Trade Organization review on Zimbabwe highlighted that one of the impediments in exporting goods is the bureaucracy involved and the plethora of regulations, procedures and permits.

Majuru appreciated that the new administration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa through its policy ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ has opened avenues for effective business to prevail.

"As such, Zimbabwe is optimistic that its exports are going to marginally grow," he said.

He said the agency would conduct numerous market surveys and make a follow up market opportunities identified within the region and beyond.

“The Agency would continue intensifying its exports promotion development programme as part of its efforts to close the existing trade deficit," he said.

He applauded the role being played by the local SMEs in boosting export volumes.

"Our local SMEs are producing competitive export products," he said.

Experts have stressed the need to boost exports as long term strategy to addressing the liquidity problem in the economy. While Government has crafted a number of fiscal policies to support local exporters, the issue of production is weighing down on export performance.