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Harare Bureau
An information centre that will allow Zimbabwean businesses to access information about trade with the European Union has been launched.Known as the Zimbabwe-EU Business Information Centre (Zim-EBIC), it will assist exporters, mainlysmall and medium enterprises (SMEs), to easily access information on areas within Europe to sell their commodities.
Establishment of the Zim-EBIC is part of the EU’s support to trade and private sector development projects and will enhance dialogue with Zimbabwe on trade.
The main components of Zim-EBIC is a virtual library with databases that include, EU-Zimbabwe trade statistics, linkages with EU Chambers of Commerce as well as information on EU exporters and importers.
EU ambassador Aldo Dell’ Ariccia said the centre would facilitate access of SMEs to trade opportunities such as duty free quota for Zimbabwean exports to Europe.
“It will also assist in strengthening the capacities of key actors like intermediary organisations and business associations in order to provide better business development services to their members,” he said.
“All the products from Zimbabwe will enter the European market free of charge and duty. The centre will help people get all the necessary information for one to access the market,” he said.
Ambassador Dell’ Ariccia said information such as norms and conditions for one to export goods to the EU would be available on the ZIM-EBIC website.
“Big companies have the means of getting information but the aspect of this is that the main clients of this service will be small to medium enterprises and you have a diversity of enterprises in Zimbabwe that are really potential exporters to the EU,” he said.
Industry and Commerce deputy minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa urged trade related institutions to utilise the information centre to be able to exploit the export market.
derick.khumalo