The COMFWB Zimbabwe Chapter was established in Zimbabwe in July 1993. Its main objective is to encourage Zimbabwean women to start businesses and those already in business to form or join Associations in COMFWB related to their businesses. Our vision is to be the economic status changers in Zimbabwe. Guided by our values of good governance, transparency, selflessness, integrity, innovation and excellence.
The Zimbabwe Chapter has a total number of 21 business sectors under its wing. These include agriculture, mining, ICT, engineering, tourism, transport, manufacturing, fashion and design and arts and crafts just to name a few. We are also proud to have our own bank, Empowered Women Excel SACCO for the empowerment of not only our members but women as a whole.
RECAMP is about boosting participation of the private sector in regional and global value chains. The Programme does this through the improvement of the investment and business climate and enhanced competitiveness in the COMESA region.
Business registration makes an enterprise formal. Formalization enables enterprises to operate freely without fear of regulatory authorities and penalties. Business registration also opens up opportunities such as markets in public sector, easier access to loans, and other services. In Zimbabwe an enterprise needs to register under one of the following business forms:
o Private company – Registration done by Registrar of Companies
o Private Business Corporation – registration done by Registrar of Companies
o Cooperative – Registrar of Cooperatives
When starting an enterprise, the choice of the form of business to be adopted is important and can make a difference with regards to the:
Step by step guide and applicable fees
Tax registration process and applicable taxes
Find out which documents you should attach
To get a company registered in Zimbabwe, one has to choose one of two options; to register it as a Private Business Corporation (PBC) or Private Limited Company also known as Pvt (Ltd).
PBC is meant to cater to small businesses. To register as a PBC an enterprise should have at least a single director. A PBC is ideal for single ownership.
Pvt (Ltd) on the other hand is meant to cater for medium to large business. To register a Pvt (Ltd), an enterprise should have between 2 to 50 shareholders and registering one will come with annual regulations and commitments to different financial bodies.
To register your company you should;
1. Have 1 to 4 preferred names for your company.
2. Choose whether your company will be a PBC or Pvt (Ltd)
3. Provide full names, addresses and IDs of the directors for a PBC or shareholders in a Pvt (Ltd)
4. Sign the incorporation statements that will be submitted at the registrar's office.
Estimated registration period: 5 working days
Make your submission for Company Name Search online and get the results in minutes!
Online Name Search Application
Log onto www.zimeservices.pfms.gov.zw
Go to the zimconnect portal
Register yourself. Your ID No is your user name e.g 63123456a01
Make payment online
Proceed to submission; you will receive a reference no. (80000054321)
The CV4 will be posted to you or can be collected from the companies office.
Contact information
Harare Office
Department of Deeds Companies and Intellectual Property
Century House , East , 38,
Nelson Mandela Avenue,
Harare
Tel: +263 242 777 373 or + 263 242 775545/6
Website: www.dcip.gov.zw
Bulawayo Office
Tregold Building
2nd Floor Room 222
Fort Street / Leopold Takawira
Bulwayo
Tel: +263 9 616012
The Department of Immigration is responsible for facilitating the entry into and departure of people from Zimbabwe. The services which the Department provides include; manning all border posts with adequately trained officers, and clearing bona fide travellers courteously and politely within 3 minutes of arrival at the officer’s desk and within a minute of arrival at the officer’s desk at points where there are computers.
Visitors to Zimbabwe must obtain a Visa from one of the Zimbabwean diplomatic missions or online unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or are eligible for Visa on arrival. As of November 2014 Zimbabwe and Zambia also offer a universal tourist Visa.
Zimbabwe Visa regime
Zimbabwe has 3 categories that guide Visa application:
Category A – Countries who nationals do not require visa; COMESA and SADC countries are in this category.
Category B – Countries whose nationals who can obtain visas at the port of entry after paying visa fees.
Category C – Countries whose nationals are required to apply and obtain visas prior to travelling. They apply online.
An online Visa online for Zimbabwe is also available at: www.evisa.gov.zw
Visa application timelines
Visa application within seven (7) days
Border posts and international airports
Documents required and procedure to follow
Documents required and procedure to follow
Visa application requirements
✓ Completed Visa application form
✓ Two passport size photographs
✓ Non refundable application fees as shown below
Visa fees
Single Entry Visa: US$30.00
Double Entry Visa: US$45.00
Multiple Entry Visa: US$55 (To be supported by a letter)
NB: Visa fees are subject to review
Business Visitor’s Visa
A business visa may be granted for a period of thirty (30) days and is non-renewable. This may be granted to personnel travelling for consultancy work.
Contact information
The Principal Director
Department of Immigration
1st Floor Linquenda House
Nelson Mandela Avenue
P Bag 7717
Causeway, Harare
Tel: +263-4-791913/8
Web: http://www.zimimmigration.gov.zw/
Legal aid refers to services offered by lawyers through consultation, advice or representation in court or before administrative tribunals to persons unable to pay for a lawyer because of inadequate means or resources.
The aim of legal aid is to ensure that less fortunate people have access to justice on an equal basis to everyone else. Legal aid is necessary in any democratic state and failure to provide it would result in denial of access to justice. It is a form of social welfare which the State provides just like other forms of social welfare to needy people.
Duties of Law officers
How does the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs operate?
The Legal Aid Directorate (LAD) is a department in the Ministry of Justice, Legal & Parliamentary Affairs set up pursuant to the Legal Aid Act Chapter 7:16.
The Act "provides for the granting of legal aid to indigent persons; the establishment and functions of the Legal Aid Directorate and a Legal Aid Fund…." LAD does not charge any legal fees to its clients, except that clients may be required to pay a small contribution to support the Legal Aid Fund.
Who can access legal aid?
Any person who has the relevant standing in any court or tribunal is able to access legal aid, if after the prescribed assessment is carried out, that person is unable to pay for a lawyer. Services are accessed at the nearest LAD office.
How to access Legal Aid?
WLSA is an advocate for women's rights
Provides free legal aid to women and children
Services for rural and urban poor and disadvantaged women
Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
New Government Complex
Corner Simon V. Muzenda & Samora Machel Avenue
6th Floor, Block C
Harare
Tel: +263 242 774620/7
Fax: 772999
Email: justice@justice.gov.zw
Website: www.justice.gov.zw
Patents in Zimbabwe are governed by the Patent Act (Chapter 26:03) which was amended in 2002. The Act provides for registration and protection of patents. One is required to make formal registration for intellectual property rights at the national office of Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO) or the regional office of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). The Zimbabwe Intellectual Property Office (ZIPO) is a section of the Department of Deeds and Intellectual Property and is currently administered by the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
The maximum cost for patenting is $520 (costs include searching fees, application fees, certificate and advertising). Obtaining a patent will take approximately 4–6 months to acquire.
Definition of patent, why you should patent
Criteria for patenting
ZIPO and ARIPO office locations
Procedure for patent application
✓ Form P1 & Complete Specification (P5)
✓ Examination in terms of the Patent Law
✓ Notification of Applicant to advertise Patent in Patents & Trademarks Journal at a prescribed fee in Form PV.8.
✓ Opposition (if any) of the patent by third parties occurs within three months from date of publication
✓ No opposition; patent is issued
Costs for patents
Provisional patent – US$80.
*The provisional patent is mostly for those who plan to exhibit their idea at a show or exhibition forum. It is valid for 6 months.
The second patenting plan is valid for 20 years. Fees are:
Application fees – $400
Advert fees – $40
Certificate – $80
Access and ownership of land by women in Zimbabwe are fundamental rights which are key to women’s economic empowerment, however, statistics indicate that more than 90% of communal land is owned by men and a majority of women access land through their male relations i.e. spouses, brothers, sons or fathers. Eighteen percent (18%) of A1 farms are owned by females and 12% of A2 farms are owned by women, therefore men are primarily the land holders.
Land is major resource in the economic sector and Zimbabwe has four main systems of land tenure, namely freehold (private), state land, communal and leasehold (resettlement) systems. Communal Land is allocated by traditional leaders on behalf of the rural district council; Resettlement Land is allocated through District Land Committees for A1 – subsistence farming and A2 for commercial; Residential, commercial and peri-urban is allocated by local authorities for residential, commercial and peri-urban agricultural purposes.
Land ownership is dominated by men as only 13.9% of large-scale Commercial Farms are owned by women, while 34.5% of owners of land in communal areas are female as compared to 65.5% and while under the farms acquired through the Land Reform women only own 3.5% and 16.3% of A2 and A1 Respectively. More women than men in the agriculture sector are employed as members of producer cooperatives, unpaid contributing family workers and own account workers. Among the workers in paid employment in the agriculture sector, women constitute about 18% and 40% of permanent and casual worker / temporary workers respectively.
According to Women and Land, mostly women in communal and resettlement areas have access to A1 farms, with control or ownership a challenge because women have no say over property. This is now being addressed by the Statutory Instrument SI 53 of 2014 entitled Agricultural Land Resettlement (Permits and Conditions) which was speared by Women and Land in Zimbabwe together with WLSA. The instrument regularizes the lease agreements which were previously in husband’s name or male relations. This caused many problems upon death of the husband or male relations or upon separation or divorce. The instrument safeguards the interests of women and they can now receive inputs and participate in agricultural programs such as the Presidential Scheme.
Land opportunities and land renting
Communal Land – Women can approach their traditional leader – headman and pay tax whilst on the waiting list.
Approach the village head and register their interest to own or access land
A1 Farms – Women can visit the Ministry of Land with a copy of their ID and register
One of the mandates of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) is to facilitate trade and travel. This is achieved by ensuring smooth movement of goods and people through inland and border ports of entry/exit. Currently Zimbabwean cross border traders do not need a Visa to enter the Democratic Republic of Congo. For consignments of USD 1000 and below no duty is payable.
COMESA Simplified Trade Regime
COMESA has come up with a simplified Customs clearance procedure for its Member States that can be used by small scale cross border traders to facilitate easy import and export of their goods. The simplified clearance procedure is called the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime (STR).
Who can use it, when, where and why
Provides market intelligence, help with permits and more
Facilitates smooth flow of goods and traders at border points
‣ The Trade Information Desk at selected border posts is a useful tool for women traders
Business opportunities for cross border traders
‣ Zimbabwe’s consumer goods like processed cereals, fermented drinks and curios are some of the main export products.
‣ Clothes, solar panels and gas cooking products are some of the products imported into Zimbabwe
Export quality and standards
The Standards Association of Zimbabwe certifies the quality of non-medical goods produced or imported into the country.
The Quality Control Department carries out product certification at:
17 Coventry Road
Workington, Harare
Tel: +263 24 2753 800-2
Contact information
Standards Association of Zimbabwe
Northend Close, Northridge Park, Borrowdale, Harare.
Tel: +263 242 882017/8/9, 242882021, 242885511/2
Fax: +263 242 882020
Web: http://www.saz.org.zw
It is important to build the capacity of female entrepreneurs so that they effectively participate and benefit from the regional integration agenda with regards to trade; build their knowledge to produce export quality goods and encourage/promote networking among women in business.
A number of institutions including the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise development provide a range of training (or coaching) which is critical for women in business. The training includes product branding, labeling, negotiation skills, sales techniques, marketing using social media, writing contracts, drafting winning business proposals and customer management.
Training for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
PROWEB provides for training for business, entrepreneurship and life skills
ZWRCN advocates economic justice and empowerment
Eswatini belongs to three economic blocks including the Southern African Customs Union, Southern African Development Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Established in 1910, SACU facilitates duty-free trade among the five-member states. SADC is a 14-member state body established as Free Trade Area (FTA) in 2008. The 21-member state COMESA is a free trade area formed in 1994 to replace a Preferential Trade Area which had existed since 1981. The establishment of a single market through the merged Tripartite Free Trade Area (COMESA, the East African Community [EAC], and SADC was formally launched in June 2015. As part of COMESA, SADC, and SACU, Eswatini is a party to SACU-US TIDCA, SACU – Mercosur, SADC Investment Protocol, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)-SACU FTA, the COMESA-US TIFA, and the SADC –EAC-COMESA TFTA. Eswatini signed and ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2016.
These trade agreements are significant to women in business in Eswatini as they allow them to sell their products duty free thereby promoting trade and economic activity across the region. Eswatini has also developed a trade portal which makes reliable trade-related information accessible to the private sector, while Eswatini Business organizes activities to make these instruments known to businesspeople.
List of signed trade agreements
Economic Cooperation Agreements with:
Contact information
Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade
International Trade Department
Gwamile Street
Between Eswatini Bank and Deputy Prime Minister’s Office
P.O. Box 451, Mbabane H100
Tel: (268) 2404 1808/9
Fax: (268) 2404 3833, (268) 2404 4711
Email: info@idtswaziland.org
1. Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Seychelles first became a member of the SADC in September 1997, and although it withdrew in 2004, it formally rejoined the bloc in 2008. In May 2015, Seychelles formally acceded to the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA).
2. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
Seychelles became a member of COMESA in June 1993 when it was still the Preferential Trade Area (PTA) for Eastern and Southern Africa. In November 2007, The Council of Ministers agreed to allow Seychelles to join the FTA, and the subsequent COMESA FTA regulations were published in Seychelles on 25 May 2009 with effect from 11 May 2009.
3. Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)
The Indian Ocean Commission is an intergovernmental organization that joins Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles together to encourage cooperation. It was started in 1984 under the General Victoria Agreement.
The original aim of IOC was to encourage trade and tourism. Seychelles currently gives preferential rates to imports of goods originating from member states of the IOC in the form of a 5% reduction on the trade tax rates. This however applies to only selected products.
4. Tripartite FTA
First Tripartite Summit, held on 22 October 2008 in Kampala, Uganda, approved the expeditious establishment of a Free Trade Area (FTA), encompassing the Member/ Partner States of the three Regional Economic Communities (RECs). It is envisaged that the twenty-six (26) countries will engage in negotiations for the establishment of a Tripartite FTA, recognizing that substantial progress on trade liberalization has been achieved within their three RECs.
The establishment of the Tripartite FTA will build upon and consolidate the RECs acquis. The negotiations shall be in two phases as follows:
i) first phase will cover negotiations on the following areas: tariff liberalization, rules of origin, dispute resolution, Customs procedures and simplification of Customs documentation, transit procedures, non-tariff barriers, trade remedies, technical barriers to trade and sanitary and Phyto-sanitary measures.
ii) Movement of business persons will be dealt with during the first phase of negotiations as a parallel and separate track.
iii) second phase will cover negotiations on the following areas: trade in services, intellectual property rights, competition policy, and trade development and competitiveness. The Tripartite process is a means of removing administrative burden and other technical difficulties associated with multiple membership.
5. Other Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs)
Seychelles is negotiating a comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EC so as to achieve a trade agreement between the two counterparts which are compatible to international trade rules.
Seychelles signed the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA) in 2000 together with 77 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries with the member states of the EU. The Agreement provided non-reciprocal preferential market access to the EC for goods originating from these countries. Given that the EPA negotiations were taking longer than expected to conclude, Seychelles signed an interim agreement with the EC in 2008 to prevent trade disruption until the finalization of the comprehensive EPA.
Seychelles exports its products to the EC at duty free quota free and started implementing reciprocal treatment to imports from EC in January 2013.
6. The World Trade Organization
Seychelles applied for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995; however due to human resource and capacity constraints, this was put on hold from 1997. The process was re-initiated in 2008 with the resubmission of its Memorandum of Foreign Trade Regime (MOFTR) in 2009 which provided an overview of how trade policy in Seychelles is being administered. A
s part of the negotiating process, Seychelles concluded bilateral agreements with a number of WTO members, namely; Oman, Mauritius, Canada, South Africa, Switzerland, European Union, Thailand Japan and the United States. At the National Level, a number of steering committees was established to ensure that the decision-making process is as inclusive as possible.
Technical recommendations stem from the four sub-committees and feed into the National Working Group. Seychelles also made significant progress in the development of the MOFTR (submitted in 2009), with the same having now evolved into a Draft Working Party report which was tabled at the Working Party meeting for Seychelles accession to the WTO, held in October 2014.
Seychelles accession package was adopted by the General Council in December 2014. On 24 March 2015, the National Assembly of the Republic of Seychelles by a historic vote, unanimously enacted into law the Protocol on the accession of Seychelles to the WTO.
Trade Information Desks
Contact information
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
P.O. Box 656
Maison Quéau de Quincy
Mont Fleuri, Mahé
Tel: (248) 428 35 00Fax: (248) 422 48 45
Fax: (248) 422 58 52 (Protocol)
Email: ps@mfa.gov.sc
Web: http://www.mfa.gov.sc
Twitter: @SeychellesMFA
As part of the promotion of trade and economic cooperation, Tunisia has opted for integration into the world economy. This integration has resulted in the progressive liberalization of its foreign trade and the establishment of free-trade zones with several economic groupings and countries as well as adherence to the multilateral trading system within the framework of the WTO.
This legislative framework makes Tunisia an ideal space for business and investment, in addition to the proximity factors of the European Arab and African market.
Multilateral and bilateral agreements now contribute to the consolidation of Tunisia's position and its membership in its regional and international environment.
Free trade agreements
Bilateral agreements
Tunisia is signatory to ten bilateral free trade agreements
Multilateral agreements
Economic groupings
Most Favored Nation type agreements
Several agreements providing for the reciprocal application of most-favored-nation treatment at the tariff level have been concluded by Tunisia with several trading partners, notably the African countries (20 countries) and the Asian countries. These agreements promote, in particular, the exchange of commercial information and the facilitation of participation in events of an economic nature.
MFN agreements are concluded with: Norway, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Malta, Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Canada, China, South Korea, North Korea, Iran, India , Japan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Nigeria, Liberia, Gabon, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Togo, Benin.
Generalized system of preferences
In order to promote the growth of developing countries, some industrialized countries agree to allow certain products from developing countries to enter their markets, free of customs duties.
Tunisia benefits from this system with the USA, Canada, Japan and Russia.
View or download all trade agreements here: http://www.commerce.gov.tn/
Contact information
Ministry of Commerce, angle between Streets Ghana and Pierre de Coubertin and Hédi Nouira in Tunis-Tunisia.
Tel: +216 71 240 155/71 240 208
Fax: +216 71 354 435
Email: mincom.brc@tunisia.gov.tn
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
Phone: (+216) 71245913
Fax: (+216) 71354456
Egypt occupies a central position between the circles of supply and between the regions of production and consumption, and between continents and the oceans, and has one of the most important navigation arteries in the world.
Egypt’s policy is to position itself as a global hub for regional services, production and re-export; creating jobs and economic growth by opening new markets for Egyptian products while simultaneously attracting Foreign Direct Investment from corporations looking to harness Egypt’s unique basket of preferential trade agreements, highly competitive and talented labor force and utility costs, as well as proximity to key global markets. Together, these advantages make Egypt an ideal hub from which to export to the rest of the world.
The trade agreements Egypt has signed give women in business the ability to export their products to all Arab countries (free trade exchange among Arab countries), COMESA countries and the EU agreement which creates a free trade area between the EU and Egypt by removing tariffs on industrial products and making agricultural products easier to trade.
Egypt's bilateral, regional and international trade agreements
Agreements
Egypt - Jordan (December 1999)
Egypt - Lebanon (March 1999)
Egypt - Libya (January 1991)
Egypt - Morocco (April 1999)
Egypt - Syria (December 1991)
Egypt - Tunisia (March 1999)
Greater Arab Free Trade Area Agreement (GAFTA) | Click here for details
PAFTA - Pan-Arab Free Trade Agreement | Click here for details
Agadir Free Trade Agreement among Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan | Click here for details
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) | Click here for details
Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) | Click here for details
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) | Click here for details
The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) | Click here for details
European Union-Egypt Free Trade Agreement (Association Agreement) | Click here for details
Egyptian-European Mediterranean Partnership Agreement | Click here for details
Free Trade Agreement with EFTA States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) | Click here for details
Turkey-Egypt Free Trade Agreement | Click here for details
Qualified Industrial Zones (QIZ) | Click here for details
Egypt-MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement | Click here for details
Burundi, a partner country of the East African Community and a member of the other regional economic communities, has signed several trade agreements, between one or more African countries and outside the African continent.
Burundi has also been a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) since July 23, 1995 and is a member of the General Agreement on Customs Tariffs and Trade signed in 1947, which aims to develop free trade.
Burundi is also part of the Customs Union and the Common Market of the East African Community which consists of creating a regional economic block characterized by the free movement of goods and investments.
Among the main objectives of the Customs Union of the East African Community are the liberalization of regional trade in goods on the basis of mutually beneficial trade agreements between the Partner States of the East African Community as well as the removal of barriers to trade that they are technical, tariff and non-tariff.
With commercial agreements concluded, Burundian economic operators can import or export goods freely to or in other African countries and outside the African continent, according to the agreements concluded and in force.
Burundian women in the trade and other income-generating sectors can also take advantage of these trade arrangements to expand and expand their businesses and prosper economically.
Burundi has already signed Bilateral Trade Agreements with certain African countries and others outside the Continent
Burundi has Laws and Instruments that regulate Trade and Investments
Burundi is part of COMESA and the COMESA-EAC-SADC tripartite agreement
Burundi is a member of the World Trade Organization and GATT
signed on September 10, 1976 between Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC
A customs union for the elimination of tariffs exists between the countries of the East African Community (CEA)
There is a memorandum of understanding between ECA countries for the free movement of goods and people
These agreements allow preferential rates applied on trade between the signatory countries. They facilitate trade, investments. Many of these agreements dedicate a specific component to the empowerment and strengthening of female entrepreneurship through capacity building, facilitation for women.
National agreements:
Regional instruments / agreements:
International instruments / agreements:
Contact and information source
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
BP 836
Rue ndriamifidy
Anosy 101 Antananarivo
Email: info-web@diplomatie.gov.mg
Website: https://www.diplomatie.gov.mg/
Malagasy Customs
Administration / customs clearance services
Headquarters: Immeuble des Finances et Budget
Antaninarenina 101 Antananarivo
Tel: +261 20 22 229 16 - +261 345564406 Toll free
number: 360
Email: sed.douane@gmail.com
Website: http: //www.douanes .gov.mg /
Ethiopia signed a Treaty of Friendship and Economic Relations which describes bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that this country is party to, thus women can get more information from this content on how to take advantage of these agreements. The different trade agreements have been summarized below:
Furthermore, Ethiopia is a signatory to the following trade agreements:
Understanding the country’s trade agreements will help women entrepreneurs to benefit from the opportunities available through these agreements. For further information click here.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a member of several regional economic communities (RECs) including ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States), COMESA (Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa), SADC (Southern African Development Community ) and CEPGL (Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries).
Regional Agreements Signed and Ratified
Southern African Development Community - SADC
Within the framework of the Southern African Development Community - SADC, The DRC only signed the protocol on the service agreement but did not sign the protocol on the goods agreement.
Scope and coverage:
In other words, this service protocol covers five (5) sectors according to the W120 classification of the World Trade organization, in particular:
The transport, tourism, communication, finance, professional service, construction and and electricity sectors.
Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries : CEPGL is a sub-organization of CEEAC with only the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda . This organization is redundant in terms of trade regime because these three member countries, Rwanda, Burundi and DRC, are also all members of COMESA. Within these zones, free trade is operational and effective, that is to say that goods circulate between these countries without customs duties.
Bilateral trade agreement between the DRC and Uganda
The DRC and Uganda are committed to promoting cross-border trade. The two countries signed, on April 9, 2018 in Kasese, a memorandum of understanding aimed at improving bilateral trade relations. Several areas are affected by this agreement. These include, inter alia, the diversification of trade in goods and services, the promotion of investment in the manufacturing sector, the elimination of non-tariff barriers, cooperation on customs and cooperation on immigration issues. With regard to the mechanism for implementing this memorandum of understanding, provision is made for the establishment at each border of a joint border committee which will hold regular evaluation meetings.
Regional agreements signed and not ratified by the DRC
SADC - COMESA - CAE: The DRC has also been a signatory of a tripartite free trade agreement since 2015 but has never ratified it. The treaty is said to be tripartite because it brings together three regional groupings of Africa including the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa ( Comesa ), the Community of Southern African States (SADC) and the community of 'East Africa (CAE).
COMESA: Within the framework of COMESA, the DRC is a member of the COMESA free trade area but the DRC has not yet joined the customs union although it had requested the moratorium to join the free area. exchange. This moratorium has already ended.
The development of the DRC's trade relations with Zambia and South Africa does not result from the existence of regional agreements but from other factors such as the existence of a road and rail network.
The Continental Free Trade Zone A frican (ZLECA, ZLEC or Zlecaf):
The DRC is among the 54 countries signatory to the African Free Trade Area agreement , but the ratification process is underway at the parliamentary level.
However, it has finalized the list of tariff concessions which will be sent after validation to Union Afrique. 90% will be liberalized products for 10 years but 7% will be sensitive products to be liberalized for 13 years, the remaining 3% will be exclusion products which will not be liberalized.
Concerning services, out of the 12 sectors and 166 sub-sectors, the Head of State chose 5 sectors to be liberalized; namely: the service sector provided to companies (professional service), transport sector, tourism, communication and the finance sector. The rest will liberalize. Gradually.
International Agreements
L O rganisation M ORLD C ommerce
The Democratic Republic of Congo is the 51st original member of GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) to join the World Trade Organization, two years after its entry into force on January 1, 1995. En as an LDC (Least Developed Country), DR Congo receives additional attention from the WTO . All the agreements recognize that it must benefit from the greatest possible flexibility.
The objective of the WTO is to facilitate the exchange of goods and services between countries, international cooperation and free trade by controlling customs tariffs.
By unilateral agreement from the European Union "Everything but arms - TSA"
The member countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), of which the DRC is a member, have negotiated the economic partnership agreement with the European Union (EU) as part of the initiative "Everything but arms Which aims to grant full tax exemption and duty-free, quota-free access to the EU single market for all products, except weapons and ammunition. Provided that the products meet the SPS product quality standards (sanitary and phytosanitary measure). But so far this economic partnership agreement with the European Union has never been signed by the DRC.
Africa Growth and Opportunity Act - AGOA
Until 2010, the DRC had the status of privileged economic partner conferred on it by the law of AGOO (Africa Growth and Opportunity. This law instituted since 2000 in the United States of America by former President Clinton, offers beneficiaries of Sub-Saharan Africa access to the US market, duty-free and quota-free, for almost all products under the generalized system of preference, however since January 2011, the DRC has been removed from the list of the beneficiaries of this Agoa law for non-respect of human rights.
Contacts:
General Secretariat for Foreign Trade
Floribert Kwete Mikobi
Director of studies and planning
Civil service building
Ref. : In front of the Central Bank of Congo
+243815187776
The Republic of Djibouti has trade agreements with a number of countries, is a member of the WTO. It is a member of COMESA, a signatory to the Tripartite Free Zone (COMESA-EAC-SADC), is a member of the Continental and African Free Trade Zone. Djibouti is also a member of IGAD and the League of Arab States .
Djibouti is a founding member of the Marrack Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO). The country successfully presented its first review of Trade Policy in 2006, its second review in 2014 testified to the progress made in recent years.
Djibouti is bound by multilateral trade agreements of the WTO. Most recently, Djibouti ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in March 2018.
Also, Djibouti is part of international conventions:
meeting of endangered flora and fauna
Djibouti has shown great interest in promoting regional economic integration.
The Republic of Djibouti is a member:
1. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and has been part of the COMESA Free Trade Area since 2000;
2. Djibouti has signed the Tripartite Free Trade Area Agreement (COMESA-EAC-SADC) since 2015;
3. The Continental and African Free Trade Area (ZLECAf): Djibouti signed and ratified the ZLECAf Agreement in February 2019;
4. The Community of Sahelo-Saharan States (CEN-SAD);
5. The Intergovernmental Development Authority (IGAD) and its headquarters are in Djibouti;
6 . AGOA: This American initiative which allows Djibouti to export to the American market without customs duties. Djibouti is indeed one of the 38 countries eligible for the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act , better known by the acronym AGOA ( African Growth and Opportunity Act ).
7. Except for all weapons (EU) : Djibouti benefits as an LDC from the abolition of customs duties on products to be traded to the EU.
The main economic partners of Djibouti are:
The economies of Ethiopia and Djibouti are highly interdependent via the various Ports of Djibouti which constitute the main transit route for Ethiopian goods and the Djibouti Corridor constitutes one of the main gateways to the Common Market of East Africa and Austral (COMESA) .
Ministry of Commerce of Djibouti
Address: Cité Ministérale
BP: 24
Tel: +253 21 32 54 41
Fax: +253 21 35 49 09
COMESA Focal Point Department
Department of foreign trade and regional integration
Address : serpent plateau
Rue Mohamed Dileita Mohamed
Loyalty building, 3 rd floor
Tel: +253 21 35 51 77
Sudan is working to integrate into the regional and global economy, by reviewing the bilateral agreements in line with national interests and regional and international obligations, and taking advantage of the advantages and preferential transactions granted by the bilateral, regional and global agreements and systems of trade preferences. Sudan is a member of some regional and international organizations and groups and through its membership it has signed a number of important trade agreements and protocols and benefited from the preferences enjoyed by some of these agreements.
There is no clear positive discrimination for business women in these agreements, but there is also no negative discrimination for them from businessmen, meaning that business women benefit from all preferences from zero tariffs with some countries or even some commodities as businessmen do.
Sudan joined COMESA in 1990. Sudan, through its membership in the COMESA that spanned nearly thirty years, was able to promote joint development on the economic and political levels, and this included all industrial sectors, agricultural, transport, trade, finance, energy, insurance, customs, statistics, investment and others.
The tripartite aims at economic integration, the development of the three regions, and the establishment of a large market for goods and services of more than 620 million people. It also aims to free movement of business, money, and natural persons, and the establishment of a customs union. The tripartite partnership agreement was signed between SADC IAC and COMESA in Sharm El-Sheikh - Egypt in June 2015 AD, signed by 26 countries of Sudan, among them, 5 countries have ratified ten countries that initiated the ratification procedures Sudan, among them.
Sudan joined the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone in September 2002 AD. Sudan gained a preferential advantage according to a gradual customs reduction on imports of 20% annually starting in 2006. Then 10% in the year 2008 AD, then Sudan reached the zero tariff in 2012. As for exports, the customs reduction has been included in 2003 by 60%, and in 2004, it reached 80%, and in 2005, it reached 100%.
Agreement to facilitate trade movement \ includes in its membership all the countries of the African Union (55) countries, which will constitute the largest free trade area in the world in terms of the number of member states and includes more than 1.2 billion people. Sudan signed the agreement on the continental free trade zone in March 2018 and is working on completing the procedures for ratification by the legislative authorities in addition to participating in the negotiations to establish this zone.
Sudan has become a coordinator of economic and commercial integration in the authority that aims to promote joint development strategies and coordination of economic and social policies, achieving food security, peace and conflict disputes, coordination in the field of trade, transport, communications and agriculture, and infrastructure development and improvement. The member countries are Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan.
Sudan signed the framework agreement for this system on May 13, 1992. This system of trade preferences between the member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference is one of the projects of the Standing Committee for Economic and Trade Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (COMCEC) with the aim of promoting intra-trade between member countries through the exchange of trade preferences among them. The agreement entered into force in 2002. Sudan is an active member of the six working groups for COMCEC activities.
This system is a multilateral treaty in which the member states of the Group of 77 participate, and it sets a comprehensive and specific framework for the rules of trade relations among member states on the basis of exchanging customs preferences and benefits. Sudan signed the Comprehensive System of Trade Preferences agreement in 1991.
The generalized system of preferences was established in the framework of the Special Committee on Trade Preferences, which is affiliated with the Trade and Development Board at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in 1970, to make it from that time a subject of economic cooperation between developed and developing countries. It is a system that provides a reduction in the customs tariff for the least developed countries. Sudan benefits from this system in the field of sugar exports.
It is the group of African, Caribbean and Pacific countries that was established under the Georgetown Agreement in 1975. The main objectives of the group are sustainable development and poverty reduction within its member states, as well as greater integration into the global economy. As for Sudan, it is not a signatory to the agreement.
There are many agreements not implemented that we have not monitored here, but all of the above agreements are implemented except for the tripartite and continental and are in the process of ratification and partnership with the European Union that Sudan has not yet signed.
Yes, they are seminars and workshops to introduce the agreements and the extent of implementation
Not yet, but in the framework of working with the Ministry's Information Center
Zambia belongs to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, which is a free trade area with 21 Member States stretching from Tunisia to Eswatini. COMESA was formed in December 1994, replacing a Preferential Trade Area which had existed since 1981. Zambia also belongs to the 14-member Southern African Development Community (SADC), which established a Free Trade Area (FTA) in 2008. The establishment of a single market through the merged Tripartite Free Trade Area (COMESA, the East African Community [EAC], and SADC was formally launched in June 2015.
Zambia has duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market, under the “Everything but Arms" (EBA) scheme for the world’s Least-Developed Countries (LDCs). Zambia is also eligible for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides duty-free/quota-free access to the U.S. market for most goods, including textiles and apparel.
1. Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
2. Southern African Development Community (SADC)
3. World Trade Organization (WTO)
4. Duty Free Quota Free (DFQF) Schemes including the Generalized System Preferences (GSP): As an LDC, Zambia has DFQF Market Access Schemes with the following countries:
5. Zambia has signed but not yet ratified the following trade agreements:
The signed are significant for women in business in that them to sell their products duty free thereby promoting trade and economic activity across the region.
Zambia is implementing both COMESA and SADC trade protocols which require full liberalization of trade, thus providing an advantage to women traders engaged in cross border trade. The AfCFTA already has cooperation mechanisms in place such as removal of non-tariff barriers as well as resolving disputes that African businesses can benefit from, as they seek to deepen their integration.
Contact information
Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry
New Government Complex
8th, 9th and 10th Floors, Nasser Road
P.O. Box 31968
Lusaka, Zambia
Tel: +260 211 228301/9
Fax: +260 211 226984
Email: info@MCTI.gov.zm
Facebook: Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry
Zimbabwe has entered into a number of trade agreements. The most common trade agreements are of the preferential and/or free trade type which are concluded in order to reduce (or eliminate) tariffs, quotas and other trade restrictions on qualifying products traded between the signatory countries.
The purpose of a Trade Agreement is to stimulate and encourage trade between the countries or group of countries that sign the agreement, by giving one another preferential treatment in the reduction or elimination of customs duties as well as removal/relaxation of quantitative restrictions. Exporters should be able to use this advantage as a marketing strategy to give their products a competitive price incentive to customers in the importing country.
Zimbabwe is a member of some Multilateral Trade Agreements. These are:
• Southern African Development Community (SADC)
• Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
• Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) with the European Union
Duty and import related taxes constitute a large percentage of the final price for cross border transactions. A reduction or elimination of the duty gives the exporter a substantial advantage in terms of cost over competitors from countries that do not have similar trade agreements. Women entrepreneurs will benefit through a trade agreement they will able to use this advantage as a marketing strategy to give their products a competitive price incentive to customers in the importing country.
COMESA Simplified Trade Regime
Traders with consignments that are below US$1,000 can import with reduced duty rates on specified products.
Zimbabwe – Mozambique (See details here)
Zimbabwe – Botswana (See details here)
Zimbabwe – Namibia (See details here)
Zimbabwe – Malawi (See details here)
Access to foreign markets and the consequent sustained economic growth, have led to the development of productive capacities, more employment opportunities, and sustainable livelihoods.
Gender issues need to be mainstreamed in trade policies, and subsequently, trade issues need to be factored into development policies.
Mainstreaming gender in trade policies means assessing the impacts of these policies on the well being of men and women and ultimately on the household and community.
What was missing in Rwanda was an assessment of the effects of trade liberalization and trade agreements on women as a discrete sector of the population.
Such an assessment was crucial to making trade an instrument for development in the country. It has helped in better understanding the specific challenges and opportunities that women face as a result of market liberalization.
This has paved way for the design and implementation of complementary policies aimed at maximizing opportunities for women and facilitating the transition of women to more competitive and better rewarded activities.
Women entrepreneurs are a significant force in Rwanda's private sector.
Women head 42% of enterprises. They comprise 58% of enterprises in the informal sector, which accounts for 30% of GDP.
Rwanda is signatory to several bilateral and multi-lateral trade agreements. The agreements present many opportunities for traders in Rwanda.
Signed with Zambia, Uganda, Mauritius and Singapore
Trade agreement offers lower or zero tariff (tariff concession) on exports and imports of goods and components assigned under TA
International Treaties, Protocols and Agreements Rwanda has signed
Ministry of Trade and Industry
P.O.Box : 73 Kigali
E-mail: info@minicom.gov.rw
Hotline: 3739
Uganda has developed various national policies and frameworks and signed a number of regional and international trade agreements that have secured market access for her products and services.
Through bilateral, multilateral, regional and preferential trading agreements, the Government aims at ensuring easier access to international markets for Ugandan products, and to encourage foreign direct investment.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives in Uganda hosts the External Department responsible facilitating domestic and external trade with emphasis on export promotion
Uganda has a number of national frameworks that promote women in business, starting from the National Export Strategy
Customs Union and trade between 6 partner states
Uganda is a member of COMESA
This Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA) brings together 26 countries
Globally, Uganda is also a signatory to a number of trade arrangements
Since its independence in 1993, Eritrea has signed various bilateral trade agreements including with Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Turkey. Eritrea has also joined different Regional Economic Communities in Africa such as COMESA, IGAD and CEN-SAD.
Eritrea reduced its Most Favored Nation (MFN) duties by 80 percent on imports originating from COMESA Member States, and at the moment it only charges 20% of the MFN duty. It is important to note that the threshold for acceding to the full FTA is 100 percent tariff liberalization coupled with elimination of non-tariff and other technical barriers to trade.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was created in 1996 to succeed the Intergovernmental Authority on Drought and Development that was founded in 1986 to deal with issues related to drought and desertification in the Horn Africa. Eritrea is one of the founding members of IGAD.
Eritrea had also ratified the revised treaty of the CEN-SAD.
The tariff reduction for goods originating from COMESA Member States is expected to benefit the potential exporters in general and women in business in particular. Removal of customs duties on exports will enable exporters to be competitive in the regional markets.
Eritrea is one of the beneficiaries from the EU Generalized System of Preference (GSP) scheme. Women engaged in manufacturing and agriculture can benefit from this scheme.
The EU has introduced REX (Registered Exporters) System. It is a self certification of origin by registered exporters making out so-called statements on origin. The threshold for which an exporter does not need to be registered in the REX System is 6,000 EUR. This means any exporter, manufacturer or trader from the beneficiary countries with export value less than 6,000 EUR is not required to be registered in the system.
The Department of Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with COMESA, organizes different workshops aimed at sensitizing the relevant stakeholders and the private sector on issues related to COMESA programs, Rules of Origin, regional integration and others.
The responsibility for concluding treaties involving the Republic of Kenya lies with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry is responsible for policy aspects, as well as matters of form and procedure.
The Ministry has a Treaty Section within the Legal Division that keeps records of bilateral and multi-lateral treaties involving Kenya. It runs an inquiry service that provides information on treaties to the public. The Ministry also coordinates Kenya’s responsibilities as depositary for certain treaties deposited with the Government of Kenya.
Objectives of the common market attain sustainable growth and development ...
Monetary Union to promote and maintain monetary and financial stability
operationalized through a work programme of 4 main pillars
international agreements
International agreements
These are the regulations for implementing the protocol on patents and industrial designs within the framework of the African regional intellectual property organization (ARIPO) ...
focuses on reducing and eventually eradicating poverty
Establishing the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency The objective of the Agency is to encourage the flow ...
Treaties and Conventions to which Kenya is a signatory:
Contacts
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Old Treasury Building, Harambee Avenue
P.O Box 30551 – 00100 G.P.O
NAIROBI, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 3318888
Email: info@mfa.go.ke
Website: www.mfa.go.ke
Trade agreements are contractual arrangements between countries governing their trade relationships. They are either bilateral or multilateral and are important because they eliminate trade barriers (e.g. tariffs, quotas or prohibitive standards). Thus, they lead to creation of new markets.
Malawi has five bilateral trade agreements. The key features of these bilateral trade agreements are highlighted below:
Goods originated from either country are exported to the other on import duty free status basis. To enjoy the provision of this agreement, Malawian producers are required to apply to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) which verifies the origin of the goods. To qualify the goods should be wholly produced in Malawi. Otherwise their domestic value addition should not be at least 25%. Moreover, the goods should be accompanied by a certificate of origin. The Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) issues the certificate of origin.
This agreement grants duty free access to goods originating from the two countries except those on the Exclusion List. Goods on the Exclusion List include sugar, beer, Coca-Cola and other branded soft drinks, manufactured tobacco, refined edible oil, dressed chicken, table eggs, unmanufactured tobacco, stationary, petroleum products, firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Since Mozambique is an important transit route for Malawi’s imports, this agreement also includes provisions for trade facilitation.
The Malawi-South Africa bilateral trade agreement was negotiated as part of the support programs by the Government of South Africa to aid the economic development of Malawi. Therefore, the agreement is non-reciprocal or asymmetrical. Malawi exports to South Africa enjoy duty-free treatment while imports from South Africa into Malawi are dutiable at the normal (Most Favoured Nation) rates applied to any other country.
South Africa is the major export market for Malawi in Africa accounting for over 35% of Malawi’s total exports. Major exports include tobacco, farm vegetables, rubber, oil seeds and fruit, clothing and iron. Imports include fertilizers, pharmaceutical products, dairy products, mineral fuels, machinery, glassware, stationery, chemical compounds, motor vehicle and industrial spares.
Malawi and Botswana’s trade relations are regulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement, Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol and a Customs Agreement of 1956. The latter allows entry of goods grown, produced or manufactured in either country duty-free, except potable spirits and spirituous liquors. Malawi’s major exports to Botswana include tobacco, tea, timber, plywood/block board, textiles and garments and cotton lint. Malawi imports wheat flour, salt, soda ash, plastic products and pharmaceutical products from Botswana.
The Agreement allows duty free entry into China of Malawi's major exports such as tobacco, tea, sugar cane, coffee and legumes. Malawi’s trade volume with China hit US$100 million in 2012, a 400-percent jump from 2010.
Malawi and Tanzania trade relations are regulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade under the Most Favoured Nation Agreement. There is no Bilateral Trade Agreement between the two countries. However, Malawi and Tanzania established a Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) in April, 1993 in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Malawi is part of the COMESA Free Trade Area (FTA), which was achieved on 31 October 2000. Eleven of COMESA's 21 Member States belong to the FTA. These, according to the COMESA website, include; Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The FTA members eliminated their tariffs on COMESA originating products, in accordance with the tariff reduction schedule adopted in 1992. They are also working on the eventual elimination of quantitative restrictions and other non-tariff barriers.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol was signed in 1996 to promote intra-regional trade in goods and services through reduction and eventual removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers in the region. It was also aimed at enhancing economic development, diversification, and industrialization of the region. SADC Member States are Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Madagascar, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. A SADC Free Trade Area was established in January 2008. Malawi has not reached the minimum threshold of 85% trade liberalization which was agreed to be the minimum for the Free Trade Area. Meanwhile Malawi has liberalized 70% of her trade with SADC. Malawi is, therefore, part of the SADC FTA and is working on removing tariffs on the remaining products.
Malawi is a member of the World Trade Organization, a legal institution of the multilateral trading system promoting the negotiations for liberalisation of trade in goods and services through removal of barriers to trade. The organisation is also responsible for development of international trade rules and settlement of trade disputes. The WTO came into being on 1st January 1995 (After the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade-GATT 1947).
Malawi is a party to the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) – European Union (EU) Partnership Agreement. Under the Agreement ACP countries enjoy duty-free market access to the European Union. Since its inception in the 1970s, the Agreement has been revised several times. The last revision was done in 2000 and a new agreement (Cotonou Agreement) was signed which introduced a requirement for ACP countries to offer reciprocal duty-free treatment to imports from the EU in line with the World Trade Organisation rules.
Since 2002, ACP countries have been negotiating the new trade arrangements with the EU known as Economic Partnership Agreements. The negotiations are being done in regional configurations. Malawi is negotiating for an EPA under the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) configuration which comprises Burundi, Comoros, Seychelles, DR Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Rwanda Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Meanwhile, Malawi is trading with the EU through the Everything But Arms a special arrangement for Least Developed Countries under the EU Generalised System of Preferences.
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a United States Trade Act, enacted in May 2000 and renewed to 2025 enhances market access to the USA for qualifying Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Qualification for AGOA preferences is based on a set of conditions contained in the AGOA legislation. To qualify and remain eligible for AGOA, each country must be working to improve its rule of law, human rights, and respect for core labour standards.
Malawi's major exports to the USA under AGOA include agricultural products, followed by textiles and apparel products.
For detailed information on trade agreement Malawi is a party to, visit www.malawitradeportal.gov.mw
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The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
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The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
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The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
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The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.
The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.
A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!
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The National Trade Development and Promotion Organisation of Zimbabwe (ZimTrade) produces Market Pointers which assist Zimbabwean companies to make informed decisions and develop appropriate export strategies as they explore opportunities in the global market.
The top exports of Zimbabwe are raw tobacco, ferro alloys, diamonds, chromium ore and raw sugar and its top imports are broadcasting equipment, packaged medicaments, delivery trucks, corn and refined petroleum. The top export destinations are China, South Africa, the United Kingdom, India and Zambia. See details here
Exports and Imports at a Glance from 2010 - 2018
Export opportunities in the horticulture sector: a snap of the local markets
Agriculture is the main anchor of the economy, with the potential to enhance economic turnaround prospects for Zimbabwe. It is the backbone of the economy.
Markets are a key component of the agriculture value chain, there is at least one local market in the 62 districts of the country and in each of the 10 provinces there is a market usually at roadside market and in every town. The largest market in Zimbabwe is known as Mbare Musika and it is the major trading market for vegetables and fruits and an estimated 17 000 people do business there every day and it has is made up of 4 markets .
Farmers Market – receives commodities from producers and operating times are from 2pm – 4:30am. Because of the nature of the market it is mainly dominated by men; commodities are carried in large volumes and the operating times are not conducive for women. There are also not women friendly facilities which include ablutions and accommodation to use hence there are a few women in this category.
Traders Market – There about 5000 traders and 40% are in the Agricultural Commodities section and approximately 60 % are women. There other traders are in buying and selling of clothes, catering and selling of processed products. The market operates from 4:30am to 12 noon
Wholesale market – This is for an approximately 2500 traders who have permanent stalls and they buy their commodities from farmers market. Approximately 60% are females. It operates from 6am to 6pm.
At the Traditional and Craft Market one can go for curio shopping and find many good bargains. From small soapstone statues, copper trinkets, wooden pieces, colourful wall art to impressive reed mats. There is a wide variety of wares, most of the hawkers are the designers and artists and will readily haggle but others are just resellers. Here you can also find an assortment of traditional herbs and spices sold for their healing properties.
Time: Mbare ticks all year round, with public holidays not a time to rest but rather a peak business period.
ZimTrade Head Office
188 Sam Nujoma Street
Avondale, Harare
Tel: +263 4 369330-41, +263 867700074
Email: info@zimtrade.co.zw
ZimTrade Regional Office
48 Josiah Tongogara Street
Btwn 3rd and 4th Avenue
Bulawayo
Tel: +263-9 66151, 62378, +263 8677000378
Email: info@zimtrade.co.zw
Zimbabwe has entered into a number of trade agreements. The most common trade agreements are of the preferential and/or free trade type which are concluded in order to reduce (or eliminate) tariffs, quotas and other trade restrictions on qualifying products traded between the signatory countries.
The purpose of a Trade Agreement is to stimulate and encourage trade between the countries or group of countries that sign the agreement, by giving one another preferential treatment in the reduction or elimination of customs duties as well as removal/relaxation of quantitative restrictions. Exporters should be able to use this advantage as a marketing strategy to give their products a competitive price incentive to customers in the importing country.
Zimbabwe is a member of some Multilateral Trade Agreements. These are:
• Southern African Development Community (SADC)
• Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)
• Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (iEPA) with the European Union
Duty and import related taxes constitute a large percentage of the final price for cross border transactions. A reduction or elimination of the duty gives the exporter a substantial advantage in terms of cost over competitors from countries that do not have similar trade agreements. Women entrepreneurs will benefit through a trade agreement they will able to use this advantage as a marketing strategy to give their products a competitive price incentive to customers in the importing country.
COMESA Simplified Trade Regime
Traders with consignments that are below US$1,000 can import with reduced duty rates on specified products.
Zimbabwe – Mozambique (See details here)
Zimbabwe – Botswana (See details here)
Zimbabwe – Namibia (See details here)
Zimbabwe – Malawi (See details here)
Zimbabwe exports a wide variety of agricultural products, ranging from cash crops and cereals in addition to its main exports which include gold, platinum, chrome, tobacco, and cotton. The National Trade Development and Promotion Organisation of Zimbabwe, ZimTrade, has prepared a simple guide; Exporting in 12 Steps, for the benefit of Zimbabwean exporters and would-be exporters. The guide provides useful information for exporters to overcome some of the common problems and difficulties associated with exporting. It also contains basic ideas to help enterprises in planning and developing their export business on a viable and sustainable basis.
Goods originating from or manufactured in Zimbabwe are normally exported under the Open General Export License (OGEL). However, there are some goods, which because of short supply or strategic importance, require an export license. This list varies from time to time, depending on circumstances. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce issues the export license. The exporter needs to complete an application form, which can be obtained from the ministry’s offices. The following are examples of products that require an export permit/license from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce:
The laws which govern the exportation of goods are administered by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), which has been empowered to ensure compliance with the regulatory controls before exportation of goods. Certain goods may not be exported without the approval of relevant ministries/departments or statutory bodies.
For instance, agricultural and horticultural produce requires an export permit from the Secretary for Agriculture. The exporter, therefore, should approach the relevant ministry or statutory body for the export permit/license before approaching the bank or submitting any documents to Zimra. Depending on the product, an export permit/license can be obtained from the following ministries or institutions:
Tips from ZimTrade
Assessing Export Readiness
ZimTrade has an Export Readiness Assessment which an entrepreneur can take in order to check for readiness. Some of the questions are as follows:
What is the nature of your business?
What is your sector of activity?
Do you have a product or service to export?
What is the unique selling point (USP) of your product or service?
What are the top three countries that you are looking to export?
How long has your business been in operation?
How are you currently financing your business?
Contact information
ZimTrade Head Office
188 Sam Nujoma Street,
Avondale Harare
Tel: +263-4 369330-41, +263-867700074
Email: info@zimtrade.co.zw
Website: www.tradezimbabwe.com
Twitter: ZimTradeAlerts
Facebook: Zim Trade Zimbabwe
ZimTrade Regional Office
48 Josiah Tongogara Street
Between 3rd and 4th Avenue
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263-9 66151, 62378, +263-8677000378
Email: info@zimtrade.co.zw
For a businessperson who intends to engage in import activities in Zimbabwe, an import license can be obtained from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in Harare. The application letter should be addressed to the Secretary for Industry and Commerce.
The government charges higher import duties on finished goods than on raw materials and intermediate goods, as a means of promoting the country’s productive sector. There are three different types of payments upon importation of goods into Zimbabwe: import duty, surtax, and value added tax (VAT) as described in the Harmonized System Tariffs Handbook and other relevant subsequent legislation. Most imported goods are subject to surtax and VAT. The government uses the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) method of customs valuation.
Prohibited and restricted imports
Zimbabwe maintains a list of prohibited items that require special permission from the government to import. The list includes nuclear reactors, radioactive materials, arms and ammunition, precious and semi-precious gems, jewellery, carbonated beverages for resale, and textiles and clothing and second-hand clothes for resale. In 2011 the government imposed an indefinite ban on chicken and meat product imports from South Africa. Although the ban has since been relaxed somewhat, meat imports are controlled by a quota system administered by the Ministry of Agriculture. Additional information can be found here.
Requirements for an application for an Import License
1. An application letter addressed to the Secretary for Industry and Commerce stating the following:
2. Attach copies of the following documents:
NB: The applications should be separate for different products
Useful links
Zimbabwe Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016 (SI 64 of 2016) License Requirements
Contact information
Zimbabwe Investment Authority
109 Rotten Row, Harare
Email: info@zia.co.zw
Tel: +263 242 2757931
+263 242 759911-5
+263 242 780140-5
Web: https://www.investzim.com
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The concept of VSLAS has been extensively acknowledged as a strength to consider in relation to attaining sustainable rural livelihoods because Africa has remained the poorest continent in the world despite being endowed with plenty of natural resources.
A Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) is a group of people who save together and take small loans from those savings. The activities of the group run in cycles of one year, after which the accumulated savings and the loan profits are distributed back to members. The purpose of a VSLA is to provide simple savings and loan facilities in a community that does not have easy access to formal financial services.
VSLAs have been utilized as a method of passing farming methods to each other and examining farming techniques with each other. VSLAs have furthermore assisted the rural populace in having latest farming hardware and farming methods and this has made more rural farmers to join VSLAs as they helped them to set aside a particular amount of money and then borrow with the goal of buying cutting-edge modern equipment.
VSLAs also give loans that are necessary to low wage families and furthermore give safe facilities for savings so as to empower individuals to adapt up in times of difficulties; act as intermediaries between individuals who have excess and individuals who are in shortfall and; assist individuals with a right, safe and sound method for saving.
Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) and entrepreneurship
The Internal Savings and Lending program is aimed at assisting communities with problems of accessing capital from banks, micro finance institutions and other money lending institutions. The programme enables group members to internally save and lend where group members guarantee each other as collateral. In addition, the Internal Savings and Lending fosters a sense of community ownership as the programme enables the participants to form strong and cohesive groups.
In order to promote financial inclusion and formalization of Internal Savings and Lending Schemes (ISALS), in 2018 the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Enterprise Development trained a total of 58 781 women in all the 10 Provinces on the transformation of ISALS groups into Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs). This culminated in the formation of 250 new SACCOs this has proved to be a life changing program to the ordinary women of Zimbabwe.
How can women entrepreneurs leverage on VSLAs to be economically empowered?
Women entrepreneurs can utilize VSLAs as platform to save and invest in income generating activities that will bring income when other sections of rural livelihoods such as agriculture are not flourishing.
Loans provided by VSLAs can be helpful in maintaining or starting a business.
Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) are thought to play a critical role in bringing financial services to rural women entrepreneurs in developing countries, where access to formal financial services is typically very limited.
VSLAs are better and more transparent ways of saving.
VLSAs have the following benefits to women:
- Rural women are now capacitated to expand, diversify and grow their businesses. They have a lot of knowledge and skills but continue to suffer from the daily manual drudgery of operating their businesses due to lack of equipment, poor infrastructure to reach sustainable markets. ISALS/VSALS help them to build collateral required to accesses large amounts of loans to procure much needed equipment.
Provides business management training
Technical and business development help for SACCOs
Equips rural women with entrepreneurship skills
Enables young people to form strong and cohesive groups
Works in the areas of education and training, among others
It is important to build the capacity of female entrepreneurs so that they effectively participate and benefit from the regional integration agenda with regards to trade; build their knowledge to produce export quality goods and encourage/promote networking among women in business.
A number of institutions including the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise development provide a range of training (or coaching) which is critical for women in business. The training includes product branding, labeling, negotiation skills, sales techniques, marketing using social media, writing contracts, drafting winning business proposals and customer management.
Training for Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
PROWEB provides for training for business, entrepreneurship and life skills
ZWRCN advocates economic justice and empowerment
Financial literacy is one of the pillars of financial stability. It is important because it equips women with the knowledge and skills required to manage money effectively. Improving financial literacy is a long-term behavioral change initiative. It requires a multi-faceted approach and sustained action over time to bring about gradual improvement.
According to the Senior Economist at the Bankers Association of Zimbabwe Sanderson Abel, improving the financial literacy has a beneficial flow-on effect to the broader economy, increasing levels of enterprising financial behavior and greater participation in financial services and markets. Listed below are institutions which provide financial literacy training for women in Zimbabwe.
Offers financial literacy training as part of a 4 modular skills training program.
ZWB supports the achievement of socio-economic rights of women in Zimbabwe.
VIRL's financial inclusion mandate is focused on rural financing
The National Trade Development and Promotion Organisation of Zimbabwe (ZimTrade) strives to provide effective, value-added and timely trade information and intelligence to all its clients and stakeholders through a host of channels that include in-house publications, trade directories, reports, trade statistics, amongst others.
ZimTrade has a virtual library which is a repository of selected trade and business related materials and resources for the benefits of Zimbabwean entrepreneurs in general and exporters from Zimbabwe in particular.
ZimTrade Head Office
188 Sam Nujoma Street
Avondale, Harare
Tel: +263 4 369330-41, +263 867700074
Email: info@zimtrade.co.zw
ZimTrade Regional Office
48 Josiah Tongogara Street
Btwn 3rd and 4th Avenue
Bulawayo
Tel: +263-9 66151, 62378, 263-8677000378
Email: info@zimtrade.co.zw
Empowering women to participate fully in economic activities is essential in building stronger economies, and improving the quality of life for women, men, and communities as a whole. The Government through, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, has set up many initiatives which are being implemented to ensure the empowerment of women.
The ministry has 2 training centres for empowerment programs
PROWEB is a forum for women’s economic empowerment
Support for women inclusion programs through commercial banks
Mentorship provides knowledge, skills, advice and resources and is a pathway for the mentor to share their career path experiences with the mentee for guidance, motivation, inspiration, support and role modelling. Mentorship is crucial for women entrepreneurs as it is a stepping stone towards running a business successfully. In Zimbabwe a number of mentorship programs targeted towards women entrepreneurs are provided by the government and women’s organizations.
Benefits of mentorship include the following:
For the mentee, one of the benefits is expanding one's network. A credible mentor to turn to can give a woman entrepreneur confidence when facing difficult business situations. In addition, mentorship develops the mentee’s business skills.
Professional Women, Women Executives and Business Women’s Forum ( PROWEB) PROWEB is a registered trust established in 2005 as a forum for women’s economic empowerment. It is run by a Board of Trustees, 10 Member Executive Committee a Secretariat and Sub Committees. The Board of Trustees comprises of seasoned professional and business women of diverse backgrounds and skills. PROWEB has an active database of more than 3000 members, with qualified and seasoned trainers from different fields and a pool of mentors. PROWEB for the past 13 years has been engaging various strategies including networking, mentorship, capacity building training, education, information, policy advocacy, wealth creation initiatives and access to microfinance. It is led by a Board of Trustees.
To qualify a Mentee has to either;
The Mentoring Program is for a period of six months. Individuals may continue thereafter.
Frequency: The Mentor and Mentee may decide on the meeting frequency depending on their schedules
The mentorship is free of charge.
International Women's Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. This year's theme was titled #BreakTheBias. Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.
