GOVERNMENT is working on mechanisms for the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC) to work with industry on a framework for pricing of goods, standards and service delivery. This was said by Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi in his key-note address during the 4th retailers and wholesalers’ Indaba 2019 in Harare yesterday, organised by the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR).

Deputy Minister Modi’s remarks come at a time prices of goods and services have risen by between 25 percent and 75 percent in recent months, eating into the pockets of consumers.

But the NCC, which was set up in 2017 to examine cost drivers to improve business competitiveness using the value chain approach, has largely been invisible in all this pricing madness. Deputy Minister Modi said the NCC was understaffed while its chairperson Mr Kumbirai Katsande, was reportedly running the show on his own, a move that curtails his chances of attending to all pertinent issues affecting the market.
Deputy Minister Modi said the NCC was currently doing “the best they can under the current circumstances”, as the organisation still does not have a CEO and other critical staff.

However, Government says the NCC has been playing a critical role in addressing issues around bread prices. Deputy Minister Modi wants the NCC to be resourced so that it carries out its mandate, in conjunction with industry.

“I hope that industry players in all sectors of the economy will work closely with the commission,” said Deputy Minister Modi.
“My ministry is also looking at how the NCC can, together with suppliers, wholesalers and retailers, engage to come up with best practices on pertinent issues of pricing, standards and service delivery.
“There is need to agree on how our products can be priced using reasonable mark-ups especially between wholesalers and retailers as your role is critical to consumers.”State media