The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has dismissed concerns raised by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) in a paper issued by the organisation on Friday.
Among other things, CZI called for the suspension of the foreign exchange auction system and also accused the RBZ of raiding foreign currency accounts.
However, in a statement on Saturday evening, the RBZ dismissed the allegations as unfounded and urged the public to disregard the CZI’s claims.
Pindula News is publishing the statement issued by RBZ governor John Mangudya dismissing allegations made by CZI below:
RESPONSE TO CZI PAPER ON CURRENCY SITUATION
On 22 April 2002, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) issued a paper that it styled as an urgent engagement paper on the currency situation in the country.
In that paper, CZI called for, inter alia, the suspension of the foreign exchange auction system and alleged that a mono-currency system was in place and also made unfounded references to “raiding” of foreign currency accounts and a bank run.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (the Bank) wishes to draw the public’s attention to the fact that the contents of the CZI paper are a response to rumours and not based on facts on the ground.
The contents of the said CZI paper and the impressions depicted therein are unfortunate and uncalled for as they have the potential to destabilise the financial markets and the economic stability of the country.
For clarity and avoidance of doubt, the Bank advises the public that:
- Government and the Bank are committed to an orderly de-dollarisation process and hence it is false that a mono-currency system is now in place.
- The foreign exchange auction system remains in place and will not be suspended as doing so will cause shortages of goods in the market and abet inflation.
- All foreign exchange accounts are safe and the Bank has no reason or appetite to “raid” the accounts as alleged in the CZI paper.
The Bank has also noted with serious concern that CZI has published the paper without engaging it to establish the veracity of the rumours that motivated the paper.
Consequently, CZI has created a negative impression that has the effect of stocking market confusion and inflation.
The Bank is always at the disposal of stakeholders, including CZI, for discussion and dialogue with a view to fostering the interests of industry and the economy and avoiding causing market instability.
The Bank, therefore, advises that the contents of the CZI paper in question should be disregarded.