adminon pre-paid electricity with effect from September 1.
In his Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review statement on Tuesday, the minister said it is critical to re-introduce the duty on agricultural implements to ease the influx of these implements.
“The duty-free import regime resulted in the influx of imported agricultural implements during the past eight years. The local industry is, however, unable to compete on a level playing field, due to operational constraints arising from limited access to long term finance to replace antiquated equipment, hence requires modest protection.
“I therefore propose to re-introduce customs duty on selected imported agricultural implements, in order to encourage local production of agricultural implements,” he said.
The minister proposed 10 percent duty rate on disc ploughs and harrows, mould board plough, mechanical rotary hoes and dam scoops, 15 percent on scarifiers and rippers, cultivators and weeders and 5 percent on seeders, planters and transplanters.
“I further propose to suspend customs duty on inputs in the manufacturing and agricultural implements,” he added.
These include mild and carbon steel, tool steel, wire, fasteners, helical springs, hydraulic hollow tube and bolts.
On pre-paid meters he said Government has injected significant resources in the refurbishment and rehabilitation of power generating stations with a view to ensure improved supply of electricity for both commercial and domestic purposes.
“An efficient user-pay system is thus necessary to enhance prompt settlement of bills in order to generate adequate resources for investment into power generation.
“Government has already embarked on the installation of the pre-paid metering system to domestic consumers.
“I, therefore, propose to grant a rebate of duty on prepaid meters imported by approved suppliers in order to reduce the cost of the project,” said Minister Biti.
Online Reporter