The Ministry of Trade has operationalised the Control of Goods Act, the ministry’s boss Sosten Gwengwe outlined that the Act will restrict imports and exports of goods by unscrupulous traders.

According to the minister, the Act will curb foreigners from illegally exporting commodities such as soy beans and groundnuts.  “There has been a tendency by foreigners to come from wherever and mop up our commodities. But now we have moved in to control and manage the situation.” Gwengwe emphasized.

Meanwhile, as the government has eased Covid-19 restrictions on imports and exports last week, agricultural commodities’ entry/exit from the country has been restricted, attributing the call to protecting subsistence farmers from exploitation. According to a recent statement by the ministry, the call has been made to easily aggregate volumes exported and value earned from the commodities.