Zimbabwe Economic News: Ethanol, Power Generation, Zimra, Tele-density statistics, Delta Beverages, Foreign Tourist Arrivals

Written by Ntando Sibanda, ZDDT News Correspondent Wednesday, 25 January 2012 14:59

Your latest ZDDT economic news roundup…

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Zimbabwe is sitting on 8 mln litres of ethanol amid reports that fuel companies are yet to regularise processes to enable them to start blending petrol. Government last year introduced mandatory petrol blending at the ratio of 90% petrol to 10% ethanol.

The introduction of the E10 was followed by regulations to legalise the process following the completion of the $600 mln Chisumbanje Ethanol Plant. Zimbabwe will save at least $72 mln per year through petrol blending – Herald, Thursday January 19,

Ethanol power

Ethanol producer Green Fuel this week announced that it is aiming to increase power generation to a maximum of 18 megawatts by July this year, up from 4.5 megawatts currently being produced.

Green Fuel has a $600 mln ethanol production and processing unit in Chisumbanje Estates, Manicaland Province. The plant is currently producing 4.5MW with the bulk of the electricity being used internally including running the agricultural divisions in producing sugar cane.  – Herald, Thursday January 19,

Zimbabwean borders become more tax efficient

Zimra has made some progress in improving the performance of the AYSCUDA system at the country's border posts. ASYCUDA is an acronym for Automated System for Customs Data, an automated customs clearance management system.

The introduction of the new system from October last year had resulted in halting of customs clearance operations at most border posts as Zimra failed to implement a smooth change-over. However, Shipping and Forwarding Association of Zimbabwe chief executive officer Joseph Musariri recently told the Herald Business that progress had been made, although more work was still necessary – Herald, Thursday January 19,

Zimbabwean tele-density

Zimbabwe's tele-density rose by 7.2% last year. The tele-density rate now stands at 74.7% from the 67.5% that was recorded at the close of 2010, figures from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe show.

The development is, however, slightly below the target by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to achieve 10% growth rate in tele- density on an annual basis to 2015.

Delta Bevereages lager volumes grow

Delta Beverages lager volumes grew by 19% in the third quarter ended December 2011 supported by further improved product availability.

The growth in Delta's lager volumes contributed significantly to global volumes for brewing giant and major shareholder SABMiller.

SABMiller 2011 lager volumes for the third quarter were 3% ahead of the prior year with good growth in all regions with the exception of Europe and North America.

Zimbabwean tourist arrivals

Zimbabwe recorded a 10% average rise in foreign tourist arrivals between 2009 and the first half 2011, driven by a stability in the political environment and massive marketing campaigns branding Zimbabwe a safe tourist destination.

This, according to a report compiled by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority – businessdigest, Friday January