1. BUY ZIMBABWE CONFERENCE 30 MARCH 2011 - HICC GOING BEYOND WORDS
PRESENTATION BY ROSEMARY SIYACHITEMA – CONSUMER COUNCIL OF ZIMBABWE
REDUCES FOREIGN DEPENDENCY

2. Buy Zimbabwe Campaign
The Buy Zimbabwe Campaign is an endeavour to encourage consumers to buy Zimbabwean products thus promoting indigenisation and economic growth. It should be noted however that it is the consumers that play a pivotal role in the buy Zimbabwe campaign and therefore, their preferences and needs should be put at the forefront for the nation to enjoy the benefits of the campaign.

3. BENEFITS OF BUY IN ZIMBABWE CAMPAIGN
The consumer population of Zimbabwe is the constituency that needs to be persuaded to ‘Buy Zimbabwe’ and therefore, whatever we decide to do here has to have their buy in. It will not be enough to meet and talk here and not find a suitable way to cascade this to the rest of the population who are the target for buying Zimbabwean.

4. Continued
We have to be clear what benefits will emanate from buying Zimbabwean – people want to know what the tangible benefits will be for oneself, family, community and the country.

5. REDUCES FOREIGN DEPENDENCY
ZIMBABWE BECOMES SELF SUSTAINABLE, SELF RELIABLE AND SELF SUFFICIENT

6. JOB CREATION
THE MORE THE DEMAND OF LOCAL PRODUCTS, THE MORE THE PRODUCTION, WHICH REQUIRES MORE LABOUR

7. RESILLIENCE IN THE FACE OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC SHOCK
e.g.- RECESSIONS AND DEPRESSIONS
THE BUY ZIMBABWE CAMPAIGN REDUCES UNEMPLOYMENT, IMPROVES THE EFFICIENCY OF ALL SECTORS AND IMPROVES LIQUIDITY
THE BUY ZIMBABWE CAMPAIGN PROMOTES THE ECONOMY AT ALL LEVELS OF PRODUCTION THAT IS FROM PRIMARY, SECONDARY AND TERTIARY LEVELS

8. LOW UNIT COSTS
RAW MATERIALS ARE READILY AVAILABLE AND PRODUCTION IS DONE LOCALLY AND TRANSPORT COSTS ARE MINIMAL LEADING TO LOWER UNIT COSTS

9. COMPETITION ON THE LOCAL MARKET
THE BUY ZIMBABWE SATISFIES DOMESTIC DEMAND
COMPETITIVE PRICES
CONSUMER CHOICE OF GOODS AND SERVICES IS BROADENED

10. REDUCES IMPORTATION OF POOR QUALITY GOODS
ZIMBABWEAN PRODUCTS WILL BE
MANUFACTURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ZIMBABWEAN STANDARDS, PREFERENCES,
LAWS AND REGULATIONS THUS QUALITY IS
LESS COMPROMISED

11. PROTECTS LOCAL INDUSTRIES AGAINST FOREIGN COMPETITION
LOCAL BUSINESSES WILL SECURE A LARGER
MARKET SHARE THAN FOREIGN
BUSINESSES.

12. STABILISES SOCIO-POLITICAL LIFE
BUYING ZIMBABWE BRINGS WITH IT EMPLOYEMENT, IMPROVES STANDARDS OF LIVING, BETTER ACCESS TO RESOURCES THUS REDUCING DISGRUNTALMENT AMONGST CITIZENS

13. BRINGS IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
NEEDED FOR IMPORTING NEW TECHNOLOGIES
INCREASES MANUFACTURING OUTPUT

14. PROMOTES INDIGENISATION
MOTIVATES LOCAL INVESTORS TO START BUSINESSES

15. Random Consumer Survey by CCZ
A small survey was conducted to investigate the
consumers’ response to the Buy Zimbabwe
campaign. The target population was randomly
selected within Harare, those walking in and out
of the banks and retail shops. The consumers
responded to the following questions:

16. What do you consider when selecting the type of product you want to buy?

17. What do you think are the shortcomings of locally manufactured goods?
The majority of the target population noted the
following shortcomings:
They are not affordable
They are priced exorbitantly
They are poorly packed
The supply of local goods do not meet local demand

18. State reasons why you might prefer foreign products compared to local products?

19. Should local goods and services be preferred simply because they are local?
60% said cited the following reasons:
The products should meet regional standards
They should be of good quality
They need to be sold at an affordable price
The products need to be readily available and provide a wide range of choices since consumers have the right to choose
40% said yes, noting that buying locally produced goods will promote local industries

20. If local products are priced the same as foreign what would you prefer?
90% would prefer Zimbabwean products because:
Zimbabwean products are not G.M.Os
Perishable goods will be fresher because there is less transportation passage.

21. Continued
These products are manufactured in accordance with Zimbabwean standards, preferences, laws and regulations.
The 10% noted that they would consider
Zimbabwean products only if the
pricing, quality and durability is fair.

22. If buy in Zimbabwe campaign was to be launched would you support it?
All the respondents said they would support the
buy in Zimbabwean campaign

23. What strategies do you suggest must be adopted by local markets to compete with global brands?
Consumers urged local manufacturers to:
Improve the quality of their products
Advertise their products
Price their goods in proportion to production costs. Consumers in emphasising this point asked why the Zimbabwean products are more expensive than foreign products yet there are minimal transport costs.

24. Continued
Price their goods taking into consideration the general populace’s salaries.
Employ skilled personnel to ensure effective and efficient production.
Acquire suitable equipment to ensure mass production which meets the local demand and also reduces unit cost.

25. LEARNING FROM OTHERS The ‘Proudly South African’ campaign has been a
successful ‘Buy South African’ campaign we can
learn from. It has elements which are
fundamental and which we cannot ignore:-
A partnership between government, organized business, labour and community organizations.
Meant to boost job creation and pride in local companies and their products and services.

26. Continued
3. Buying South African resulted in increased demand for locally produced products and services. 4. Thus safeguarding existing employment opportunities, economic growth (capacity utilization). 5. Consumers assurance of quality and standards of products with ‘Proudly South African ‘ mark.

27. Continued
6. Commitment to better business ethics and corporate social responsibility. 7. Fair and competitive pricing of goods All this was underpinned by a massive consumer education program and periodic surveys to measure attitudes, awareness and purchase behavior. Their logo played an important, focal point – very visible with many other spin off activities.

28. THANK YOU !!!! TINOTENDA !!!! SIYABONGA!!!!
THE END
THANK YOU !!!! TINOTENDA !!!! SIYABONGA!!!!