SOUTH African exports will be adversely affected by a unilateral Zimbabwean government decision to choke off trade by introducing draconian restrictive measures, the Department of Trade and Industry conceded on Sunday.The measures included import bans, surcharges, increases in duties, the requirement for import permits and other forms of restrictions that had negative implications for intra-regional trade, spokesman Sidwell Medupe said.Zimbabwe has implemented the trade restrictions, saying they are necessary to support the development of its local industries and relieve pressure brought on by “economic sanctions”, which it claimed had led to the government not being able to pay its workers.However, the Department of Trade and Industry expressed concern on Sunday at the restrictive measures, saying their adverse effect on South African exporters could not be underestimated.At a recent meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) committee of trade ministers, SA and Z...
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