Government announced last Friday is has reduced the number of approved importers of duty-free powdered milk from 20 to 12.
Former President Robert Mugabe’s debt-ridden dairy business, Alpha Omega Dairy (Pvt) Ltd is among the companies that have remained on the priority list. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube regulated the suspension of duty for various powdered milk importers which came into effect on January 1 2019 and will run until December 31 2019.
Under the provisions gazetted on Friday, Mugabe’s company will be allowed to import a maximum of 100 000 kilograms full cream milk powder per annum and a maximum of 50 000 kg skimmed milk powder. Dendairy Private Limited and Dairiboard Zimbabwe have the highest duty free import margin. The pair has been granted a ring fenced quantity of 1, 5 million kgs for full cream milk powder per annum. Further, Dairibord may import 1, 8 million kgs skimmed milk powder, with Dendairy granted a cap of 530 000 kg.
More: Mail and Telegraph