Zimbabwe

Background

The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence.

The government of Zimbabwe faces a wide variety of difficult economic problems as it struggles to consolidate earlier moves to develop a market-oriented economy. Its involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for example, has already drained hundreds of millions of dollars from the economy. Badly needed support from the IMF has been suspended because of the country's failure to meet budgetary goals. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to 59% in 1999, to 60% in 2000, and to 100% by yearend 2001. The economy is being steadily weakened by excessive government deficits, AIDS, and rampant inflation. The government's land reform program, characterized by chaos and violence, has derailed the commercial sector, the traditional source of exports and foreign exchange and the provider of 400,000 jobs. Distribution of income is extremely unequal.

Holidays

Ps: The Festivals' dates(*)given above are approximations that are subject to change in every new year.

Phone Codes

Country Code: 263
Outgoing International Code: 110
Main Area Codes:
Harare (Capital) 4
Bulawayo 9

Resources

Market Research

Zimbabwe Business
Mbendi serves as business oriented directory providing an ultimate African Business Source for the potential investors seeking new business opportunities in Zimbabwe including the list of industries for Zimbabwe.

Lex Africa: Business Guide: Zimbabwe
The African Law Firm Network examines Zimbabwe in order to get comprehensive business outlook for the potential investors seeking business opportunities in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe Newspapers
There are listed the names of Zimbabwe's newspapers.

Doing Business in Zimbabwe
World Bank represents a snapshot of the business climate in Zimbabwe by identifying specific regulations and policies that encourage or discourage investment, productivity, and growth related to Zimbabwe.

U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs - For Zimbabwe
U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs creates a wide range of research named as Consular Information Sheet about Zimbabwe in terms of analyzing its social, political, cultural & economic environments.

CIA - The World Factbook - Republic of Zimbabwe
This website indicates a wide range of detail information about Zimbabwe by introducing under 8 different fields as its geography,people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, transnational issues.

About Zimbabwe
There is available to find out Zimbabwe's general outlook on the issues of its social and business profile, passport/visa, money, accommodation, government, duty free, health and so forth.

Zimbabwe Trade Online
This website indicates trade opportunities in Zimbabwe by displaying comprehensive database about it.

Trade Information

Selection of Websites - For Zimbabwe
Export Services creates a list of useful institutions, organizations, agencies and so forth related to export & business in Zimbabwe by providing contact information of the institutions, as well.

Embassy Listings For Zimbabwe
There are listed the embassies of Zimbabwe including the embassies' contact information.

Zimbabwe Government Online
It displays the structure of Zimbabweian government by looking at its political units, branches, ministries and so forth in details.