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Country Guide > Africa > Zimbabwe | |
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Business Profile Economy Zimbabwe’s economy is now in freefall. Half the workforce is unemployed; hyper-inflation (estimated at 620 per cent annually at the end of 2003, although this dropped somewhat to 397 per cent in June 2004) has taken hold while GDP has contracted by 10 per cent per year for the last four years. There are four main reasons: a catastrophic decline in the value of the Zimbabwean dollar; the chaos in the vital agricultural and agro-industrial sectors caused by government policies on land redistribution; the drought that is afflicting the entire region; and the growing impact of the very high rates of HIV/AIDS infection on the workforce. Approximately two-thirds of the population face food shortages. The situation is now extremely serious and the immediate prospects of recovery are virtually zero without radical political change. Under other circumstances Zimbabwe would have one of the most diverse and best-performing economies on the African continent. The agricultural base relies on tobacco and other cash crops, including sugar, coffee, cotton and maize, as the main export earners. Livestock rearing is also important. The mining industry produces gold and nickel, mainly for export, as well as smaller quantities of a host of other minerals including silver, emeralds, lithium, tin, iron ore, manganese, cobalt, coal, diamonds and a number of rare metals. Large coal deposits and hydroelectric plants supply the country’s power stations. Manufacturing industry was well developed by regional standards: food processing, metals, chemicals and textiles were the main components. In the service sector, tourism grew rapidly in the period after independence. Worth $200 million in 2002, the industry has all but vanished. Although better developed than many of its neighbours (especially as regards basic infrastructure such as roads, telecommunications, water and electricity), much of this benefit has been squandered or allowed to disintegrate through neglect. Zimbabwe’s economy remains heavily dependent on South Africa. The South Africans have been more sympathetic to the Zimbabwean government than most of the international community; all the major donors in Europe and North America have now suspended grants and loans to Zimbabwe, further depressing economic prospects. The IMF has expelled Zimbabwe, as has the Commonwealth (formerly a valuable source of aid). Although Zimbabwe is a member of the Southern African Development Community and has signed up to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, these are of marginal assistance in present circumstances. Zimbabwe’s once thriving trade patterns have been all but wrecked as the country has become isolated internationally. Business Normal courtesies should be observed and men should wear a suit and tie. The atmosphere will generally be less formal than in many European countries. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1630. Commercial Information The following organisations can offer advice: Ministry of Industry & International Trade, Private Bag 7708, 13th Floor, Mukwati Building, Fourth Street, Causeway, Harare (tel: (4) 702 731; fax: (4) 791 829); or Zimbabwe National Chambers of Commerce (ZNCC), PO. Box 1934, ZNCC Business House, 42 Harare Street, Harare (tel: (4) 749 335 or 749 737; fax: (4) 750 375; e-mail: info@zncchq.co.zw; website: www.zncc.co.zw). Conferences/Conventions Contact the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (see Contact Addresses section). |