A consumer watchdog on Monday welcomed the government's plan to bar foreigners from operating retail businesses, saying the move will help open employment opportunities for indigenous Zimbabweans.
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe executive director Rosemary Siyachitema also dismissed fears that the country could face shortages if the foreigners leave sectors that are reserved for locals under the indigenization law.
Siyachitema said the "small" businesses were not bringing any meaningful economic benefits to the country.
The Zimbabwe government has given foreigners in retail and other sub-sectors of the economy until Jan. 1, 2014 to cease operations, warning that those not complying would be arrested.
Zimbabwe is implementing an indigenization and economic empowerment law under which foreigners must cede controlling shareholding to black Zimbabweans.
Legislation reserving the sectors for locals was passed in May this year, with a senior government official last week reiterating the imminent deadline.
Other sectors reserved for locals include primary production of food and cash crops, transportation business involving passenger buses, taxes and car hire services, hair dressing and beauty salons, employment agencies, estate agencies, valet services, grain milling, tobacco grading and packaging, tobacco processing, advertizing agencies, milk processing and marketing of local art and craft.
Siyachitema said the country would benefit more if foreigners come to set up manufacturing plants that generate more employment for the locals.
"We want people who come and employ our people, not these small shops that bring their own people and employ very few of our people," she said.
Meanwhile, the Harare City Council which licenses retail shops in the capital said it will issue a statement this week on the planned removal of the foreigners.
In a terse response, spokesperson Leslie Gwindi said the local authority was discussing with stakeholders and would issue a statement later this week./.