FAQ

COMPETITION AND TARIFF COMMISSION

• Promote fair competition in all sectors of the economy;
• Investigate and regulate mergers in the economy;
• Investigate, discourage and prevent restrictive practices;
• Reduce barriers to entry into any sector in the economy or any form of economic activity;
• To undertake investigations and make reports to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce relating to tariff charges i.e. giving assistance or protection to local manufacturing industry;
• Investigate unfair trade practices in the economy; and
• Rendering technical assistance to Government during trade negotiations.

CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSION

• Protect consumers from unconscionable, unreasonable, unjust or otherwise improper trade practices; as well as deceptive, misleading, unfair or fraudulent conduct;
• Promote fair business practices;
• Co-ordinate and network consumer activities and liaise with consumer organisations and the competent authorities and agencies locally and outside Zimbabwe;
• Promote consumer education and empowerment;
• Investigate and evaluate alleged prohibited conduct and offences;
• Refer to the Competition Commission or any other relevant authority any concerns regarding market share, anti-competitive behaviour or conduct that may be prohibited in terms of the Competition Act [Chapter 14:28] or other relevant Acts;
• Cooperate with other consumer protection authorities to obtain redress across borders for consumers affected by fraudulent and deceptive commercial practices;
• Promote international co-operation in the comparative testing of consumer goods and services and facilitate exchange of test methods, plans and results; and
• Monitor trends in the consumer market and regulate the accreditation of consumer protection advocacy bodies.

NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS COMMISSION

• Develop, coordinate and implement key income and pricing policies that will enhance Zimbabwe’s global competitiveness;
• Monitor evolving sector specific subjects and strategies for enhancing Zimbabwe’s global competitiveness;
• Review all existing and new business regulations to ascertain their impact on the cost of doing business and recommend amendments or repeals where appropriate to enhance competitiveness;
• Continuously monitor the cost drivers in the business and economic environment, and advise on measures to be taken to enhance productivity and address current and emerging costs challenges;
• Identify sectors of the Zimbabwean economy that have potential for global competitiveness, whilst also paying due attention to issues of the structure and size of industry, technology gaps and skills, and infrastructure and modernization needs;
• Review all price changes by the Government, statutory corporations and local authorities when charging or levying user fees, rates, penalties and fines payable by the public and clients;
• Undertake research and maintain a comprehensive nationwide statistical database to be used in the analysis of competitiveness across all sectors of the economy;
• Develop periodic competitiveness frameworks and strategies;
• Provide a platform for dialogue between the public and private sector, labour, academia and non-state actors on the subject of competitiveness;
• Build awareness and advocacy on matters related to competitiveness;
• Produce an annual benchmarking report on national competitiveness to be called the National Competitiveness Report; and
• Perform any other functions that may be conferred or imposed upon the Commission by this Act or any other enactment.

ZIMBABWE IRON AND STEEL COMPANY (ZISCOSTEEL) (PVT) LIMITED

• Production of Iron and Steel.
• Production of steel and steel products.
• Enhance value addition and beneficiation of the abundant iron ore.
• Accelerate import substitution by supplying required steel products to the local market.
• To provide steel and steel products to downstream industries in all sectors.
• Create indirect and direct employment in downstream and upstream industries.
• Generation of foreign currency inflow through exports.

ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR COMPANY

• To establish, hold, promote, manage, control and support, assist or participate in trade fairs, shows and exhibitions of every description which are aimed at promoting or stimulating interest in manufacturing industry and commerce.