afrol News, 4 August - The Zimbabwean government has announced a 12-month suspension of exports of basic commodities. Sugar, cooking oil, salt, rice, soap, candles and sanitary pads are among the covered commodities.

"It is indeed true that the exportation of specified basic commodities has been suspended," Florence Jambwa, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Commissioner told state media.

"This is with effect from July 23 2008 and will last for a period of 12 months."

Once dubbed the breadbasket of the Southern African region, Zimbabwe is today reeling with shortages of basic foods, bread, sugar, cornmeal.

Zimbabwe's increasing poverty level has been worsened by its record inflation rate, which stands at 2.2 million percent. Shortages of foreign currencies have also taken its toll on the country's economy and survival of its citizens.

In its attempts to improve local supplies, the Mugabe regime suspended import duties on selected basic commodities in May.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean negotiators return to their power-sharing business talks on Monday in South Africa. President Thabo Mbeki has been mediating the talks which aims to seal the country\'s long and painful political crisis.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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