INDUSTRY leaders have pleaded for the total removal of the sanctions programme under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (Zidera), citing them as the primary obstacle to the economic progress of the nation.

This comes as the United States government has removed sanctions on some individuals and entities, but maintained President Emmerson Mnangagwa, his wife, key government officials and associates on the red list.

“Efforts that have taken this issue of removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe this far are applauded and we look into the future with hope and optimism that the unjustified sanctions will be totally and unconditionally removed,” Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Kurai Matsheza told NewsDay Business.

He also described the imposition of sanctions on President Mnangagwa and other key government officials and associates as not “a good development for the country”.

Victor Nyoni, the chief executive officer of the Association for Business in Zimbabwe, said: “Zidera is still there and we need serious movement around that. Congress must now remove Zidera through its legal processes of removing it. So as long as Zidera is in place, we know that the sanctions have not been removed in total.

“But from a purely business perspective, now that companies, banks and other institutions that were sanctioned, which could not deal with the rest of the world, are now being allowed to do that, I think we are excited about that.”

Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce president Mike Kamungeremu called for complete removal of sanctions or measures against any institution or individual.

“We are not sure what the impact will be, given that some sanctions are still in place. Our position as ZNCC as guided by our members at our congress in June 2023 is that any form of sanctions or measures against any institution or individual must be lifted unconditionally. That has not happened yet. All sanctions must go,” Kamungeremu demanded.

NewsDay