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Business Editor
BULAWAYO businesses say they fully embrace the use of bond coins but complained over the limited supply of the currency in the market.Speaking during a meeting with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor John Mangudya yesterday, the business community requested for increased supply of bond coins, which were introduced last December to address the shortage of change and buttress the use of the multiple currency system that was adopted in 2009.

Bond coins are indexed at par with the United States dollar and are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 cents while the 50 cents is expected to be unveiled next month.

“As kombi operators we’ve accepted and have grown to love bond coins because of their value as they are equal to the dollar,” Albert Ncube from the Bulawayo Public Transporters Association (Bupta) said.

“Unfortunately we’re not seeing these coins and we continue to receive the rand only.”

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Bulawayo branch chairman Crispen Mugova described as retrogressive speculation over use of bond coins and urged all businesses to embrace the new currency.

Bulawayo Provincial Minister of State Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo weighed in.

“These coins have come as a saviour and some of us support their usage. Use these coins, they are there to help you,” she said adding that those who refuse the new coins were promoting profiteering by few businesses.

Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Chiratidzo Mabuwa also implored Bulawayo to embrace the use of bond coins.

Association of Businesses in Zimbabwe boss Cde Lucky Mlilo said bond coins were a brilliant idea aimed at solving the change problem and reducing prices.

“We’re now seeing price reduction by Innscor and Delta Beverages because of bond coins. We appreciate their value although some banks are refusing the coins,”  he said.

ZNCC past president Obert Sibanda also said the use of bond coins was a positive move but complained over “limited supply and negative attitude by some banks”.

Bankers Association of Zimbabwe president Sam Malaba said financial institutions were working with RBZ to ensure effective circulation of bond coins.

He warned his association would deal with those banks refusing the coins.

After the meeting Governor Mangudya visited Egodini terminus and addressed kombi drivers and commuters on the importance of using bond coins.

The gathering, however, complained that some operators, fuel service stations and the police at roadblocks were refusing bond coins.

Others said they had never seen the bond coins.