CAPE TOWN: South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies wants Zimbabwe to reverse a decision to ban imports of goods from the continent’s most-industrialized economy. “The minister is engaging through SADC structures and in his capacity with his counterparts,” Sidwell Medupe, a spokesman for the department, said by phone on Monday, referring to the Southern African Development Community. “Engagements are still at an early stage. We hope that an amicable solution will be found.”
In June, Zimbabwe announced a ban on imports of many goods, saying the steps are needed to develop local industries. Products banned include cosmetics, cereals, cheese, canned goods and furniture.
South Africa is one of the biggest investors in Zimbabwe and companies including Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. and Nedbank Group Ltd. own units there. South Africa’s exports to Zimbabwe amounted to 24.8 billion rand ($1.7 billion) in 2014, while imports stood at 2 billion rand, President Jacob Zuma’s office said in a statement last year.
