Zimbabwe's mining sector will be the first target of the country's drive to force foreign firms to cede a majority stake to locals, the indigenisation minister said on Tuesday.
"I am happy to announce that government has unanimously decided that implementation of our indigenisation policy [will] start with the mining sector," Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere told journalists.
Under the indigenisation law, which came into force on March 1, foreign-owned firms valued at $500 000 or more must cede at least a 50% stake to local owners.
Firms had been given 45 days to report their efforts at complying, but Kasukuwere said the deadline has been extended to May 15.
Funds 'badly needed' in Zim
The biggest targets include local subsidiaries of British banks Barclays and Standard Chartered, as well as mining companies such as Impala Platinum, Anglo Platinum and Rio Tinto.
Kasukuwere said some mining houses had prejudiced the state by sending money abroad without authorisation.
"They were externalising as much as $280-million. These funds are badly needed here," he said.
"We have so far received more than 400 submissions from various companies and as government we are happy with such an overwhelming response," he was quoted as saying by the Herald newspaper.
President Robert Mugabe has defended the regulations as a measure to correct the economic imbalances created by Zimbabwe's colonial past.
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-04-20-zims-company-grab-to-start-with-mining-houses
"I am happy to announce that government has unanimously decided that implementation of our indigenisation policy [will] start with the mining sector," Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere told journalists.
Under the indigenisation law, which came into force on March 1, foreign-owned firms valued at $500 000 or more must cede at least a 50% stake to local owners.
Firms had been given 45 days to report their efforts at complying, but Kasukuwere said the deadline has been extended to May 15.
Funds 'badly needed' in Zim
The biggest targets include local subsidiaries of British banks Barclays and Standard Chartered, as well as mining companies such as Impala Platinum, Anglo Platinum and Rio Tinto.
Kasukuwere said some mining houses had prejudiced the state by sending money abroad without authorisation.
"They were externalising as much as $280-million. These funds are badly needed here," he said.
"We have so far received more than 400 submissions from various companies and as government we are happy with such an overwhelming response," he was quoted as saying by the Herald newspaper.
President Robert Mugabe has defended the regulations as a measure to correct the economic imbalances created by Zimbabwe's colonial past.
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-04-20-zims-company-grab-to-start-with-mining-houses
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