AAG seeks to protect local industry

Bizure, said the rationale was to protect indigenous businesses from the crippling effects of excessive imports.
“The AAG is currently engaging local manufacturers to develop a list of products whose importation should be banned.
“Importing products that we are producing shows a general lack of confidence in the capacities of our local producers and is detrimental to the indigenisation agenda,” he said.
Observers have noted that the current high level of imports is stifling the growth of local industries.
High import levels also have wider ramifications for the local economy to the extent of a negative balance of trade — estimated at US$1,4 billion at the end of last year — which has contributed to the prevailing liquidity crunch.
Mr Bizure also said they would be taking action against foreigners that are continually being given licences in the capital to operate in sectors that are specifically designated for Zimbabweans.
“Indigenisation is not a racial issue, rather it is about ensuring the economic competency of Zimbabweans,” he said.
AAG’s acting president Mr Chamu Chiwanza said the organisation was concerned with some of the public procurement decisions.
“How can a parastatal like Zupco be allowed to import 60 buses from China when we have companies such as AVM Africa that have capacities to produce these buses locally? These are areas that we need to look at seriously,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commissioning of the Harare branch’s new leadership structures is part of the broader leadership renewal that the empowerment lobbyist is undergoing.
A massive re-organisation of the AAG’s regional and district structures has been instituted, which is expected to ensure that the organisation is better responsive to the broader indigenisation agenda. AAG founding president Mr Philip Chiyangwa said he had absolute confidence in the new structures which have seen the appointment of a number of youthful figures.
“It has been many years since the organisation was formed and the struggle for the economic rights of the indigenous people has not gone away, rather it has now taken centre stage given that we now have legislation to support this effort. It has become urgent that AAG rethinks a number of its organisational and strategic positions in terms of the new operating environment that requires adaptation and innovation both in terms of its strategic focus. This new leadership certainly has what it takes to take the organisation forward,” he said.