/ 29 January 2008

Zim govt to open ‘people’s shops’

The Zimbabwean Ministry of Industry and International Trade will within the next 40 days open ”people’s shops” countrywide after the Cabinet last week approved the concept, the government mouthpiece Herald newspaper reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, Minister of Industry and International Trade Obert Mpofu said the shops would fall under the Zimbabwe Development Corporation (ZDC), the board of which is chaired by Jonathan Kadzura

”The people’s shops will provide basic commodities aimed at the very low-income earners and disadvantaged groups.

”The economy is facing many challenges but it is our belief that the disadvantaged and less-privileged community should access basic commodities,” the minister was quoted as saying.

He also said that the shops would be useful in beating rampant price increases, shortages and ”monopolistic tendencies in the market”.

The concept of the shops was taken from Angola, which had been successful in implementing the project. The Angolan government set aside $1,5-billion to build shops throughout Angola.

”So far, 10 outlets are operational in Angola,” Mpofu said after he had toured one of the shops during a trade and investment mission to Angola.

Mpofu has, however, given the new ZDC board 40 days to set up the shops. — Sapa