Operators in slow uptake of duty free imports

Government last year promulgated two statutory instruments – SI 124/2011 and SI125/2011 to allow duty exemption for importation of capital goods and specialised safari vehicles respectively.
In an interview in Victoria Falls Dr Maunganidze said there was high uptake of the instruments in Harare while it was still low in the Matabeleland region.
The instruments were gazetted on 24 November last year, giving the industry much needed import duty relief in order to refurbish and equip products to meet anticipated growth ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly to he held in August next year.
The instrument on motor vehicles is valid for a period of six months from the date of publication and applies specifically to safari vehicles. SI 124/2011 which relates to capital goods used in hotels and restaurants as well as boating equipment will run up to 31 August 2013.
Dr Maunganidze attributed the slowness of the uptake of the instruments in the region to distance that the operators have to travel to Harare.
“SI 124 and 125 were put in place to assist operators, hoteliers to refurbish, spruce up their hotels and lodges but their uptake has been confined to Harare, operators from this area are still to take advantage of the instruments,” he said.
Dr Maunganidze said in light of this, operators should take advantage of the Provincial Tourism office that has been opened in Victoria Falls by his ministry to assist operators.
“The office has been operational since January and it is there for the operators so that they do not have to travel to Harare for everything,” he said.
Dr Maunganidze said a secretariat will be set up in Victoria Falls ahead of UNWTO General Assembly.
Meanwhile, Dr Maunganidze said the Victoria Falls UNWTO Local Organising Committee (Loc) that had stopped operating “amid some confusion” after the setting up of the Provincial Organising Committee last month, should resume operations. The Loc is headed by mayor Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane.
Dr Maunganidze said there should be no confusion surrounding the issue adding that when the Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Retired Colonel Katsande, launched the provincial committee last month, he did not dislodge the Local Organising Committee.
“According to the report presented to the national committee, Loc is still there. Loc is chaired by the mayor at the local level. We also have the provincial committee and these complement each other.
“These structures were made so that we host a successful general assembly. Loc might have thought that they have been submersed by the new structures which is not true as activity on the national level should be replicated at the local level by Loc,” said Dr Maunganidze.
He said local people should be taken aboard especially villagers in Monde, Chisuma among others who will be directly affected by the construction of the convention centre.
Clr Jiyane said the co-hosting of the UNWTO General Assembly by Livingstone and Victoria Falls will leave the latter completely transformed.
He said plans were underway to work on the dumpsite (along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road) which operators and environmentalists have for long been complaining about.
“Plans are under way to either relocate it or put in place new technology which is environment friendly for proper waste management.We are taking advantage of the general assembly to get money for the project,” he said.