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Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
THE government launched the draft Consumer Protection Bill on Wednesday, which economic analysts lauded as a move in the right direction towards protecting consumers and enhancing business competitiveness.
Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha presided over the launch in the capital saying it was time consumers were empowered.
The bill seeks to promote among other things, fair, efficient and transparent marketplace for consumers and business.

It also seeks to promote consumer rights to basic needs, provide for improved standards of consumer information, to prohibit unfair competition, marketing and business practices.

Bulawayo based economic analyst and manager at Ball Joints, Ephraim Makara, said the bill will ensure that consumers get value for their money.
“We’re very happy about the launch of the bill. Consumers have not been getting the real value of their money. They’ve been buying substandard products at high prices,” he said.

Makara urged the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe to thoroughly engage consumers during their consultations.
CCZ will take three to four months to do rounds for the eight consultative workshops countrywide.

“They should thoroughly investigate and engage consumers on matters that distress them the most when it comes to business people who are after making profits at the expense of consumers,” he said.

“Of great concern is our pricing system, which is too high. The council must analyse the process and the system used to develop such a high pricing structure.”

Another analyst Dr Davison Gomo said CCZ should now put in place mechanisms that ensure the bill works.
The bill will establish the Consumer Protection Commission, a body that will be capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name and subject to the Act, of performing all acts that bodies corporate may by law perform.