Zim: Newsprint producer bounces back

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's sole paper producer Mutare Board and Paper Mills (MBPM), which stopped production last year, has bounced back ahead of the launch of at least three daily newspapers in the country.

New Zim dailies ready to hit the streets

[Dumisani Ndlela] The launch of at least three daily newspapers, including the banned Daily News, has been stalled by delays in the issuance of licences by government, but project promoters have already launched aggressive marketing campaigns to woo prospective readers.

Zim's mobile penetration rate soars

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's smallest mobile network operator Telecel Zimbabwe has added 350,000 more lines to the network, taking it to second spot ahead of struggling state-owned NetOne whose subscriber numbers have remained mired at 350,000.

Zim: Retailers fight and customers get the cheer

[Dumisani Ndlela] After a lull sparked by commodity shortages and a clampdown on manufacturers and distributors, retailers have resurfaced with a fleet of campaigns. The emergence of TM and OK on the advertising scene signals the beginning of a bloodbath as prices start racing downwards.

Zim marketers to defend profession

[Dumisani Ndlela] The Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ), formed at the height of Zimbabwe's economic crisis in 2007, has unveiled its vision and goals to the public, promising to host its first ever convention before the end of the year.

Zim: Small retailers give big players a run for shoppers' money

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's retail giants are facing stiff competition from an emergent crop of small retailers who have taken a significant share of the market. But the big players said they will leverage their brand and life-sized operations to outperform the new rivals and regain market share.

Zim engages Visa International for a comeback

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's central bank said it had intervened to help bring in Visa International back into the country ahead of a surge in international tourist arrivals during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

Zim: Mobile market share battle intensifies

[Dumisani Ndlela] A market-share battle is intensifying in Zimbabwe, where two previously-underdog mobile network operators are taking on leader, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe.

Zim: Ad agency launches monthly magazine

[Dumisani Ndlela] Advertising agency, Axa Corporate Images, has launched a monthly, advertising-only magazine called Necessity Magazine.

Zim ad industry on slow rebound

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's advertising industry is picking itself up as the country's economy moves slowly towards recovery, industry experts said.

Zim: Import duty on newspapers scrapped

[Dumisani Ndlela] Finance minister Tendai Biti has scrapped a 40% customs duty on imported newspapers and magazines, saying access to information was essential to enhance decision-making in a global environment.

No cheers for Zim wines and spirits

Zim government moves to protect telecoms customers

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's telecommunication operators have been told to start reducing tariffs to avoid “milking” customers.

ZBC TV spruces up to win viewers, adverts

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's ZBC TV has overhauled its programming as it battles to lure viewers dejected by pathetic programming and a blackout on foreign content.

Zim students choose Cambridge over local examiner

[Dumisani Ndlela] The Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) released results for both A-level and O-level in May 2009, rather than in February. Due to the delays, students were admitted into A-level using mid-year school examination results, or school assessments. But most lost their A-level places after failing.

Zim: Land Rover brand alive despite UK firm pull-out

[Dumisani Ndlela] A local motor vehicle firm claims it has saved the Land Rover brand in Zimbabwe from collapse, despite being ditched by the British firm over the country's political crisis.

Zim to have new media commission

[Dumisani Ndlela] Zimbabwe's parliament has begun the process of establishing the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), days after the High Court declared the Media and Information Commission (MIC) defunct and ordered that it stop accrediting of journalists.

State-owned daily says sales on the mend

[Dumisani Ndlela] The state-controlled Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers) said circulation for its daily newspaper The Herald had recovered, going up from 8 000 copies sold daily last year to 30 000 copies since the economy was dollarized this year. However, group CEO, Justin Mutasa, said further increase in circulation depended on newsprint supplies from Mondi in South Africa.

Econet to reduce telecommunication tariffs

[Sam Hungwe] Econet Wireless, Zimbabwe's largest mobile phone network, says it is moved by public calls for affordable services and was beginning to take measures to lower tariffs.

Zim banks to import foreign cash

[Sam Hungwe] Zimbabwe's central bank has ordered banks to start importing foreign currency from their nostro accounts as banks began grappling with increasing demand for foreign cash, bankers said. A nostro account is a bank account established in a foreign country for the purpose of holding that country's currency.