changes were made to the controversial indigenization and empowerment Bill. The word “cede” was replaced by the word “dispose of” to make it explicit that the shares will be sold and paid for. This was in response to fears that the ambiguity found in using the word cede might pave the way from for chaotic grabs such as witnessed with the violent land seizures. While the act maintained the 51% indigenous ownership objective it now provides for the setting of various sector specific thresholds and time frames to be determined by sectoral and sub-sectoral committees. According to the Indigenisation, Youth and Empowerment Minister, discussions are ongoing with the Finance Minister on modalities to establish an empowerment fund to finance the acquisition of shares. As a way of encouraging investment in the country, the government introduced a one stop shop to make it is easy to start business in the country. Government also announced plans to raise US$50 million from the Diaspora through the issuance of a special government and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) guaranteed bonds targeted at Zimbabweans living outside the country. The efforts to raise funds for economic revival in the short to medium term is commendable, instead of government depending on traditional sources which are still hesitant to commit for various reasons.5 Tourism: The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality hosted a Pan-African Investment Climate Summit and the inaugural International Conference on Investment Opportunities in Tourism and Related Sectors in February 2010. The first quarter of 2010 saw an increase in tourist arrivals to 319 788 from 317 592 for the same period last year. According to the Ministry of Finance the average bed occupancy rate is projected to increase to 37% from 2009’s 35% and the sector is expected to grow by 3, 5% in 2010. First quarter tourist arrivals 2008 - 2010 2008 2009 2010 Africa 252 948 254 911 282 528 Overseas 58 417 62 681 37 260 Total 311 365 317 592 319 788 Central Bank Reform: The RBZ Bill was signed into law by the President. This will see the central bank focusing on its core business of monetary policy formulation, stabilising the local currency and the supervision of financial institutions. The law also established the RBZ Board and a Monetary Policy Committee whereby the latter will determine monetary policy, ensure price stability in line with government inflation targets and determine interest rates, among other responsibilities. There will also be an Audit and Oversight Committee to review the bank’s operations. These reforms also involve a strategy to settle debts owed by the bank which had, until the government’s intervention, seen the bank’s assets being auctioned as domestic lenders sought to recover their money. Government has since moved to stop the stripping of the bank’s asserts by its creditors while at the same time coming up with a strategy to resolve the bank’s outstanding debts. 2010 Mid-Term Fiscal Policy Review, Ndamu Sandu ìZim in bid to raise US$50 million from Duiasporaî in the Standard 21-27 February 2010. 5 CIVIL SOCIETY MONITORING MECHANISM (CISOMM) SIX MONTH SHADOW REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THE INCLUSIVE OF ZIMBABWE 12

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