Doing business in Zimbabwe

[nigelm]

What's the general attitude to doing business in Zimbabwe at the moment?

Many thanks

[Dave A]

My understanding is it's DFI hostile right now. Isn't there something about foreign companies having to ensure they have minority shareholdings going on at the moment?

[wynn]

Doing business WITH Zimbabwe, make sure you are paid upfront in rands US dollars or pounds.

Doing business IN Zimbabwe, are you suicidal?

[nigelm]

There are obviously issues that the government needs to iron out within. They announced laws regarding business ownership prematurely and we are now seeing cabinet make amendments to those initial laws. They (and indeed the majority of us in the business community) realised that some of the regulations proposed just wouldn't work.

As far as doing business with Zimbabwean companies, I think it's easier to generalise however you will find that there are some of us who still conduct business using credit channels which we have established and maintained with SA businesses throughout the last 10 years or so.

Important to note that the laws were simply announced to try to included as many Zimbabweans in the process - economically I mean.

[wynn]

Sorry I shot my mouth off, I didn't realise you were actually in Zim!!
Is it not possible to register a business vehicle outside of Zim and then do the business there?

[desA]

When ebagum departs the scene, I'd begin considering Zimbabwe again. Not before that. Sorry.

[Dave A]

Important to note that the laws were simply announced to try to included as many Zimbabweans in the process - economically I mean.

The road to ruin is paved with good intentions

You're not alone - unintended consequences seem to be a growing cause for concern in South Africa too. At least here our gov still seems to acknowledge they exist and perhaps even care to avoid them if reasonably possible.

[psifreight]

We deal with Zim on a regular basis and have very little issues when it comes to payment.

[Dave A]

Would that be Zim government or Zim companies and citizens?

[nigelm]

Interesting

We deal with Zim on a regular basis and have very little issues when it comes to payment.

[nigelm]

This might answer your question: - http://www.zimbizforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=55

Sorry I shot my mouth off, I didn't realise you were actually in Zim!!
Is it not possible to register a business vehicle outside of Zim and then do the business there?

[garthu]

Hey welcome NigelM.

As an ex Zim wouldnt do work for the government at all. I used to do alot of work for them and easily waited 6 months for payment back in the 90's.

I have had dealings with companies etc and payment always in US and upfront, it seems to have become common practice and the payment upfront is offered not sought. Would love to do business again in Zim, the potential is mind boggeling! However Bob has to go first as well as a couple of his generals, in fact pretty much the party...

My brother in law got arrested 2 weeks ago at the border for border jumping. Not going to try explain the whole seen (to long) but basically they set him up. He is fluent in shona so managed to get out in early morning when the shift changed. Basically personal power got him locked up and also set free... lucky. That sort of thing is my reluctance to deal.

[psifreight]

Mainly with Zimbabwean companies, although, having said that we did do work once for a governmental department in Zimbabwe and didnt have any problems there either. And that was last year some time.