Chief Executive Officers under the banner of CEO Africa Round table have condemned government decision to lift an earlier ban on importation of basic commodities saying the move will result in loss of employment and subject locally produced goods to unfair competition.
In an interview with 263Chat, CEO Africa Round table Chief Executive Officer, Kipson Gundani said opening up of borders without improving the ease of doing business at home does not do any good to local industries.
“We don’t condone the whole idea of opening up borders because we are strong opponents of free markets and trade but the opening up should be optimal.
“Opening of borders without improving the ease of doing business at home does not do any good to our industry we should subject them to competition at the same time making sure that they have got the best environment to operate because in this case there is going to be an unfair competition.
“Opening up yes but lets also support the local production at home, it should be easy for local manufacturers to innovate and produce back home such that there will be competition,” he said.
Following the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, government scrapped Statutory Instrument 122 of 2017 to ease the prevailing shortage of basic commodities in the country.
