Zim Central Bank Chief warn against rushing banks seizure.

By John Chola. 28/07/12 Nyanga - Zimbabwe's central bank chief warned on Friday against rushing the government’s planned seizure of majority stakes in foreign-owned banks. Gideon Gono is reported saying the country's fragile economy could grind to a halt if the government goes ahead with the planned move. Gono was speaking to business executives at the annual congress of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries in the eastern resort town of Nyanga.

"The implementation of indigenisation and economic empowerment regulations in the banking sector should be done in a manner that preserves confidence since any adverse developments in the banking sector could grind economic activity to a screeching halt," Gideon Gono said. Zimbabwe passed in 2007 a law that forces all foreign-owned companies to hand over a majority stake of 51% to locals. The law has forced mining firms, including the country's biggest platinum mine Zimplats, a subsidiary of South Africa's Impala Platinum, to submit schedules on how they will surrender a majority share. "We are gratified to note that some aspects of the indigenisation and economic empowerment regulations are receiving attention with a view to harmonize and fine-tune pertinent issues," Gono said. Indigenisation Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, in a government notice made public earlier this month, gave foreign banks and other companies one year to cede a 51% stake to locals, as required under current laws. Mugabe's partner in a coalition government, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai dismissed the ultimatum on the banks as illegal and a threat to the ailing economy's recovery prospects. Britain's Standard Chartered Bank and Barclays Bank are among the major foreign banks with operations in this former British colony. Ends/