In an interview with The Standard, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the current economic policies are meant to create the right environment for currency reform.

Before he became Finance Minister Ncube said he would demonetize the bond note. Zanu-PF urged Ncube to look into the multi-currency system which they said is not working. Below is an excerpt of Ncube’s (MC) interview with The Standard (OM)

OM: The conference specifically urged you to look into the multi-currency system, which they said was not working. Do you have any immediate solutions in your mind?

MC: The policies we have put in place are what we have in mind because you need strong policies, consistent policies, policies that begin to achieve results. Read more

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s current economic plan is a comprehensive stabilization and reform effort.

Responding to an online question during Friday’s edition of IMF’s weekly question-and-answer session, the Fund’s director of communications, Mr Gerry Rice, said IMF can only work on a financial programme with Zimbabwe once the country strikes a deal with bilateral creditors and clears its arrears with other international financial institutions.  Read more

In a Press statement yesterday, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said President Mnangagwa appointed Ambassador Nicholas Kitikiti to the position of Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet.

Mnangagwa also appointed Africom chairperson Mr Jacob Charles Wekwete as the head of the e-Government Unit. Read more

Zimbabwe’s telecoms sector generated revenue in excess of $1 billion and contributed 7,2 % to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017, the industry regulator has said.

The telecommunications sector is now one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy, contributing 7,8% to national GDP in 2017. Read more

ZIMRE Property Investment (Zimre) has so far spent $9,2 million on its shopping mall in Victoria Falls which is now 65% complete.

Providing above 5 000 square metres of lettable space, the $13 million Sawanga Shopping Mall consists of 23 shops, banks, concept houses, food courts, restaurants, coffee shops, a service station and curio shops.

Zimre property manager, Stephen Kapfunde, told NewsDay in e-mailed responses that the mall would be operational by end of this month.

“The shopping mall is approximately at 65% completion and we expect the contractor to finish off most of the brickwork and to have the balance of the roof sheets on the mall in two weeks’ time from now,” Kapfunde said. Read more

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) announced that it is working to transform post offices around the country so that they offer e-commerce and e-government services.

Potraz said as a result people will be able to apply for passports, birth and death certificates as well as access other Government services at postal outlets.  Read more

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube presented the 2019 national budget on Thursday 22 November 2018.

You can download his 2019 national budget speech by clicking here

President Mnangagwa will next week commission the construction of the $140 million New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.

The new building is expected to house more than 600 people at any given time. China is funding the construction of the new building and has released $46 million for the project.

Briefing the media after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said works on the project will commence soon.  Read more

African Medallion Group owned by South African based Zimbabwean businessman Mr Frank Buyanga will avail a 500 million rand facility for the procurement and delivery of fuel, pharmaceuticals, cement, cooking oil and other commodities through a bonded infrastructure.

AMG chairperson Ms Estee Mamman wrote to RBZ Governor John Mangudya requesting for assistance with the procurement. In response, Mangudya advised AMG to directly approach the importers of the proposed commodities. Read more

DAR ES SALAAM. – Tanzania’s President John Magufuli said the government could buy up the country’s cashew nut stock after he fired two ministers and dissolved the industry regulator in a row over the price of the commodity.

Last month, President Magufuli ordered a 94 percent increase to cashew nut prices at the industry regulator’s auctions and fired the organisation’s head in moves he said were aimed at safeguarding farmers from unsustainably low prices. Read more