Sunday, June 5, 2011

Zimbabwe Sovereign Wealth Fund necessary for future generations.


The discovery of massive diamond reserves in Eastern Zimbabwe has created an economic windfall which should be managed properly for future generations to benefit. Zimbabwe has various other resources including Gold, Coal and platinum which is believed to be the second largest known reserve after South Africa. These resources a finite and can run out and as such the proceeds from these resources must be invested wisely in properly structured Institutions such as the Zimbabwe Sovereign Wealth Fund (ZSWF).

According to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) is defined as a state-owned investment fund composed of financial assets such as stocks, bonds, real estate, or other financial instruments funded by foreign exchange assets. Generally these assets include: balance of payments surpluses, official foreign currency operations, the proceeds of privatizations, fiscal surpluses, and/or receipts resulting from commodity exports. Sovereign Wealth Funds can be structured as a fund, pool, or corporation.

There are two major types of SWF funds: saving funds and stabilization funds. Stabilization SWFs are created to reduce the volatility of government revenues, to counter the boom-bust cycles' adverse effect on government spending and the national economy. Savings SWFs build up savings for future generations according to Wikipedia.

Traditionally SWF tend to prefer returns over liquidity, thus they have a higher risk tolerance than traditional foreign exchange reserves. This is in line with their goal to create long term value and build wealth for future generations who may not have the same mineral resources at their disposal.

In theory SWF have their origins in Commodities – funded through commodity exports, either taxed or owned by the government. And Non Commodities – Usually created via transfers of assets from official foreign exchange reserves. Zimbabwe’s Sovereign Wealth Fund would naturally be from commodities and exports of minerals and royalties from Diamonds ,Gold ,Platinum etc.

A few SWFs, such as the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and China Investment Corporation (CIC), invest wealth from fiscal surpluses or foreign currency reserves.

According to the Economist Magazine “The world’s largest sovereign-wealth fund belongs to the United Arab Emirates, whose Abu Dhabi Investment Authority manages assets worth $627 billion. No single Chinese fund is nearly as big: the chunkiest, the SAFE Investment Company, has holdings worth $347 billion. But taken together China’s sovereign funds are worth an estimated $831 billion, more than any other country’s holdings. Many of the biggest sovereign funds belong to oil exporters.”

Many emerging nations which have significant natural resources have turned to SWF as a way to broaden and deepen their capital markets. WF provide long term capital similar to what the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) has been able to do in Zimbabwe’s capital and money markets over the last decade. The ZSWF will have a critical role in ensuring that there are more deep pocketed Institutions in Zimbabwe with capacity to underwrite huge transactions whilst furthering national economic vision and goals.Some African countries as well such as Libya,Nigeria,Botswana and Mauritania have also developed and established SWFs.

SWF have historically been accused of being too secretive and lacking in transparency which the ZSWF should be structured to address and ensure it has the support of all stakeholders as it will be holding assets and resources on behalf of the nation including future generations. he fund structure should outline the Management composition, here and how funds can be invested.


Domestically, people want to know how their money is being invested, whereas internationally SWFs face challenges investing in companies that fear their motives may be politically driven. These are areas which need to be critically looked at before the ZSWF concept is fully implemented.

Disclaimer

Prepared by GMRI Capital (www.gmricapital.com) for 3MG MEDIA (www.3mgmedia.ca). At GMRI Capital, we pride ourselves on the quality and depth of our research and analysis. This means digging deeper than our competition for information and generating more useful reports.

This article is provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Prior to execution of any security trade, you are advised to consult your authorized financial advisor to verify the accuracy of all information. Neither GMRI Capital nor any independent provider is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein.

Contact Email ; gilbert@gmricapital.com
Face book ; http://www.facebook.com/GMRICAPITAL
Skype ; gilbert.muponda
Website ; www.gmricapital.com

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Entrepreneurship should be formally included in Zimbabwe Education


Developing nations including Zimbabwe face an uphill struggle to develop their economies relying on foreign Entrepreneurs and multinational corporations which usually are controlled and owned institutions which may or may not assist in building entrepreneurial infrastructure in host nations.

Whilst Foreign Direct Investment is a welcome source of investment and development emerging economics such as Zimbabwe need to take immediate and firm steps to develop local entrepreneurs from a very early age. Individuals shouldn’t become Entrepreneurs by fluke or by chance. There is need to put national efforts and resources to develop entrepreneurs from early in life.

Zimbabwe and other emerging market should welcome FDI but should ensure that local population do not remain perennial cheap labour providers without any hope of ever graduating into shareholders and business owners.

The providers of FDI should be pro-active and seek to use local suppliers wherever possible as a way to support local Entrepreneurs to slowly enter the entrepreneurship ladder. In the long run such relationships build long-term stability for all stake holders including the foreign investors.

Entrepreneurship like any essential life skill can be learnt, developed and refined and this is best done from a very early stages in life. The Educational system in Zimbabwe like many other emerging countries which were once colonized was modelled upon their colonizers and the majority of the population was trained and groomed towards being employees and not potential employers. Its true not everyone can be an employer but its also accurate to say everyone must be given an opportunity to be a potential employer at a very early age.

Considering how nations are forming into regional groups such as Ecowas ,EU,NAFTA, SADC etc, which are essentially economic and political groupings meant to retain all economic activity within members between members its imperative for nations like Zimbabwe to develop comprehensive entrepreneurial based education models which can develop globally competitive Entrepreneurs. The challenge to be Globally competitive should be part of a National Economic Vision which is driven by local Entrepreneurs who would have been trained and groomed from a very early age.

Training teenagers about Entrepreneurship from an early age will teach them proper values such as the need to think long term and seek to build wealth over a sustained period without resorting to asset grabbing or looting already established businesses only to run them into the ground. Youngsters have to be trained on the ethics and spirit required to build a solid business which can be passed from one generation to the next based on proper corporate structures and systems.



Disclaimer

Prepared by GMRI Capital (www.gmricapital.com) for 3MG MEDIA (www.3mgmedia.ca). At GMRI Capital, we pride ourselves on the quality and depth of our research and analysis. This means digging deeper than our competition for information and generating more useful reports.

This article is provided "as is" for informational purposes only, not intended for trading purposes or advice. Prior to execution of any security trade, you are advised to consult your authorized financial advisor to verify the accuracy of all information. Neither GMRI Capital nor any independent provider is liable for any informational errors, incompleteness, or delays, or for any actions taken in reliance on information contained herein.

Contact Email ; gilbert@gmricapital.com
Face book ; http://www.facebook.com/GMRICAPITAL
Skype ; gilbert.muponda
Website ; www.gmricapital.com

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

CFX Bank liquidation by Interfin Financial Holdings opposed by Gilbert Muponda HC 288-11


Founding Affidavit opposing the Liquidation of CFX Bank Limited in terms of the Companies Act by Gilbert Muponda served on Interfin Bank and CFX Bank and filed with the Master of High Court on 17 May 2011 AT HARARE

I, GILBERT MUPONDA, of the City of TORONTO,ONTARIO ,CANADA, MAKE OATH

AND SAY AS FOLLOWS:
swear or affirm that:

I know or believe the following facts to be true. If these facts are based on information from others,
I believe that information to be true.
I make this affidavit in relation to an application* by

Interfin Holdings Limited Directors and CFX Bank Limited Directors
For Liquidation of CFX Bank Limited.

When Interfin Bank illegally and irregularly took over my Bank CFX which was previously called Century Bank they used the excuse that I was specified so I couldn’t oppose the illegal transaction. Now that that my full legal rights have been restored I have already filed a motion to oppose the liquidation of CFX Bank and also reverse the Merger which created Interfin Banking Corporation.

According to the Prevention of Corruption Act Assets of a specified person can not be sold ,bought or disposed of since those assets are under investigation and would be required as evidence in the legal proceedings. So you can not be investigating assets and at the same time selling those very same assets. The purpose of specifying a person is to facilitate investigations into the alleged corrupt activities. Section 10(2) specifically prohibits any person from dealing with the assets of a specified person. In terms of Section 10(7) of the Act to all transactions that we purportedly concluded during the period specification are null and void.


1 - I do hereby place it on record that I wish to oppose the proposed liquidation of CFX Bank Limited. I will suffer irreparable financial damage exceeding US $ 15.4 million if the said liquidation goes ahead before finalization of the High Court case HC 6244-04 in which I am challenging the illegal and irregular sale of 309 million shares from Century Bank which was then merged to create CFX Bank which is now in liquidation in an attempt to escape paying the $ 15.4 million.

2 - I have an on-going dispute involving CFX Bank Limited and Interfin Banking Corporation and its holding Company.Mr Raymond Njanike the Managing Director of Interfin Bank has publicly acknowledged this dispute in the NewsDay Newspaper published on 27 September 2010 by Mr Munyaradzi Muguwo in addition to many other articles.Link http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2010-09-27-muponda-scared-off-cfx-suitors-interfin3 - Interfin Holdings Limited Director Mr Farai Rwodzi also publicly acknowledged this debt when he falsely claimed in the Newsday Newspaper of 25 August 2010 that Interfin had paid me US $ 5.3 million for my shares in Century / CFX Bank which were illegally and irregularly acquired. The link is herehttp://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2010-08-25-interfin-acquires-13-of-starafrica4 - I denied this false statement and NewsDay Newspaper published a retraction a few days later. Upto this day Interfin have not paid me anything for my Bank which they took and re-branded Interfin Banking Corporation and now they are trying to liquidate it after stripping it of all assets.

5 - ENG Capital contributories ,shareholders and Directors and myself are claiming US$ 15.4 million being the 309 million shares multiplied by the share price of $ 0.05 which give the claim total of US $ 15.4 million.

6 - Interfin Banking Corporation Zimbabwe is a product of a fraudulent merger between Century Bank and CFX Bank which was subsequently renamed Interfin Banking Corporation after another irregular merger between Century/CFX Bank and Interfin Bank Zimbabwe.

7 - The liquidation of CFX Bank Limited should therefore be held back until such a time that HC 6244-04 is finalized.Interfin Bank Directors are seeking to hide their tracks and creating a very complex and complicated web of mergers and de-mergers and liquidations and re-structurings which will conceal their illegal and irregular take over of Century/CFX Bank assets.


8 - All these “fake mergers” were designed with the intention of concealing the initial fraudulent transfer of 309 million Century shares illegally and irregularly transferred into Century/CFX Bank then Interfin Banking Corporation. This illegal transfer is being challenged through High court case HC-6244-04.

9 - I have attached a copy of my original founding affidavit for High Court Case HC 6244 – 04 dated 21 May 2004.

10 - I have attached the supporting affidavit by my Co-Director Nyasha Watyoka fully supporting my Original affidavit.

11 - The High Court Case is still before the Courts but it has been delayed since I am currently specified and as such have to seek permission from the Liquidator/Investigator to proceed with the action. However my court action HC 6244-04 is on the most part against the liquidator /Investigator it is therefore not possible to seek permission and approval from the same person you wish to take action against.

12 - I wish that the liquidation be delayed until such a time High Court deals with HC 6244-04.The liquidation is not urgent and I see no reason why it can not be put on hold pending the finalization of HC -6244-04.

13 - Proceeding with the liquidation before HC 6244-04 is finalized will cause me irreparable damage amounting to $ 15.4 million which I am seeking from CFX Bank Limited ,Interfin Holdings ,Interfin Directors and Shareholders jointly and severally each paying and absolving for the other.

14 - Interfin Banking Corporation Zimbabwe is a product of a fraudulent merger between Interfin Merchant Bank and CFX Bank which was subsequently renamed Interfin Banking Corporation after another irregular merger between Century/CFX Bank Limited and Interfin Bank Zimbabwe.

15 - Any further transaction or re-organization or restructuring will not change the facts that Interfin Banking Corporation has a disputed ownership due to the presence of CFX Bank assets in its DNA composition.

16 - If the merger was approved by all the regulatory Authorities then why would Interfin try to liquidate a Bank which it merged with. It clearly doesn’t make any sense to liquidate a Bank which has already been merged with another .

17 - Its not legally possible and its practically fictitious to claim to liquidate a Bank which has already merged with another resulting in the formation of a new entity.

18 - The so-called liquidation of CFX Bank is nothing but a fraud being perpetrated by Interfin Holdings Directors . There is no liquidation taking place whatsoever since all the CFX assets have already been “merged“ and transferred into the new entity now renamed Interfin Banking Corporation.

19 - This is an effort to hide the tracks of the original fraud which is being challenged under High Court case HC 6244-04.This is an effort to escape legitimate liabilities brought about by Interfin`s unwise and greed move of trying to grab CFX Bank assets.

20 - Interfin can not fully capitalize a Bank and then liquidate the same bank all within a year .According to another report titled Interfin Holdings Fully Capitalises CFX Bank Published on 13 January 2010 – http://allafrica.com/stories/201001130248.html .

21 - This does not add up and only provides further evidence that Interfin Banking Corporation are involved in fraudulent transaction and the various movements are meant to hide the tracks and cleanse an otherwise illegal and underhand deal.

22 - There can be no talk of liquidating CFX Bank since CFX Assets have been merged with Interfin and effectively transferred into Interfin Banking Corporation and rebranded Interfin Banking Corporation in an a deliberate fraudulent effort to hide the illegal take over of Century – CFX Bank assets and network.

23 - Specifically the assets below have been stripped from CFX Bank and transferred into Interfin Banking Corporation. IT and Computer Systems
- MoneyGram Money Transfer Franchise and System
- Branch Network
- Customers , clients and loan Book
- International Correspondent Bank Network
- Management and Staff
- Leases, Contracts and general goodwill
- Buildings and offices
- ZSE Listing Spot

24 - Interfin Bank Directors led are getting increasingly desperate to hide their tracks on the illegal and irregular take over of Century – CFX Bank assets which were illegally transferred into Interfin Bank and rebranded Interfin Banking Corporation.

25 - Their lastest stunt of claiming to “liquidate“ CFX Bank is one such effort to conceal their fraudulent take over of Century – CFX Bank assets and stealthily transferring them into Interfin Bank and rename the resultant entity Interfin Banking Corporation.

26 - After claiming a successful merger as anticipated in this report by Dumisani Ndlela http://www.financialgazette.co.zw/companies-a-markets/4525-cfx-fs-to-lose-bank-for-bigger-entity.html in June 2010 only 9 months later CFX Bank now re-branded Interfin Banking Corporation is being liquidatedhttp://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2011-03-14-cfx-to-windup-operations .

27 - Interfin owes me and other contributories US 15.4 million for the 309 million shares fraudulently converted from Century Bank into CFX Bank then Interfin Banking Corporation. Interfin Bank Directors and Shareholders are trying to escape paying this liability by claiming CFX Bank is being liquidated.

28 - Interfin Holdings limited and Interfin Banking Corporation Directors continue to mislead the public and other stakeholders by devising fraudulent schemes as a way to avoid settling what is due to Gilbert Muponda and ENG Capital contributories, shareholders and Directors.

29 - The fraudulent attempt by Interfin Holdings Directors to mislead the investing public and depositors that the ownership dispute will disappear just because they are attempting to fake a liquidation of a Bank whose assets they have transferred into another entity is totally irresponsible and disingenuous .

30 - Interfin Banking Corporation Directors seem to be practising moral flexibility whilst bending rules and regulations to conceal their prior knowledge of a legitimate claim which they with held informing their employers who are the Investing public who are protected by the ZIMBABWE STOCK EXCHANGE ACT Acts 27/1973, 24/1975, 15/1981, 20/1984; R.G.Ns 54/1975; 1135/1975, S.Is 468/1979, 236/1980.

31 - High Court Case HC-6244-04 was filed in 2004 and its still pending before the courts. Yet Interfin Banking Corporation Directors pretend there was never any challenge to their illegal and irregular grabbing of Century/CFX Bank.

32 - By will fully and deliberately misleading the Investing Public in violation of the ZSE Act Interfin Banking Corporation is an organization that has re-defined the definition of corruption , deceit and concealment of material information from Investing public and Regulatory Authorities.

33 - The liquidation of CFX Bank Limited should therefore be held back until such a time that HC 6244-04 is finalized. Interfin Bank Directors are seeking to hide their tracks and creating a very complex and complicated web of mergers and de-mergers and liquidations and re-structurings which will conceal their illegal and irregular take over of Century/CFX Bank assets.


34 - I make this affidavit in opposing the Liquidation of CFX bank Limited before High Court Case HC 6244-04 is finalized, and for no illegal or improper purpose.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

RBZ on the right path with Gold backed Zimbabwe dollars Part 1 of 3


RBZ on the right path with Gold backed Zimbabwe dollars Part 1 of 3

The recent proposal by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor for the introduction of a Gold backed Zimbabwe Dollar is an idea whose time has come. If implemented properly the Gold backed Zimbabwe dollar will resolve the liquidity crisis currently ravaging the sanctions hit economy. In light of Global financial crisis and targeted sanctions Zimbabwe is effectively barred from accessing any meaningful lines of credit and liquidity crisis will persist if the domestic capital market is not re-activated with the introduction of a Gold or Precious-Metal backed Zimbabwe dollar.

There is need to avoid Quasi Fiscal Activities and excessive printing of money which accelerated the demise of the previous dollar. The country has started to generate meaningful revenues with Zimbabwe Revenue Authority regularly outperforming revenue collection targets. Previously the Government had been forced to print money to finance everything. This is no longer necessary given the economic recovery and the discovery of Diamonds. The revenue from Diamonds can also be used to build the 6 months import cover and stock up Gold reserves to support the Gold Backed Zimbabwe dollar as proposed by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor.

The Gold backed currency is based on the premise that the central bank hold a large amount of gold (or other precious metal) in relation to the paper money that they issue .That means if the Country doesn’t have any gold reserves not currency can be issued, this eliminates the normal inflationary pressure that come from modern FIAT money.

Zimbabwe has been systematically been excluded from the International credit system specifically because of the ZIDERA Act passed by the US. The act makes it illegal for any US national or Entity do transactions with certain entities or individuals in Zimbabwe .This affects various Institutions such as the World Bank ,IMF, IFC ,ADB etc where US representatives can not vote in favour of any credit to Zimbabwe designated nationals and entities or entities linked to them. This creates a huge political risk premium which make International banks hesitant to grant lines of credit to Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean Institutions.

This situation effectively blocks these Institutions do any meaningful business with Zimbabwe as the country’s political risk is magnified by have many leading figures being designated nationals. This lack of access to International credit markets has become very clear through out the Economy with Banks failing to grant any medium to long term loans. This is partly causing the mini-financial crisis rocking Zimbabwe’s banks as they fail to get reasonably priced funding. Its widely reported that Banks are lending at 40 to 60 % per annum which is way to high an interest rate to give to an legitimate business transaction .This has created a very high default risk and forced banks to avoid lending. This illiquidity needs to be addressed through introduction of a Gold Backed Currency.

Modern currency is basically paper money backed by the country’s revenue generation capacity and assets. The US is the largest holder of gold reserves. How much of this is still in Fort Knox PHYSICALLY and not just on paper is another question as much gold is loaned out for the whopping sum of 0.20%! In essence the US has sold a lot of its gold into the market through gold leasing (even though it still shows up on the central banks books as a asset (accounts receivable)).This partly explains why the US$ is still the world’s reserve currency since the USA holds the largest amounts of Gold even though its exact quantity remains

In foreign exchange, no major currency is considered to be as safe and stable as the Swiss Franc. The country's centuries long policy of political neutrality as well as the fact that 40% of its currency reserves were previously backed by the precious metal, contribute to Swiss's image as “liquid gold”. The proposed Gold backed Zimbabwe dollar can in fact be based on the same format .

Canada and Australia possess large reserves of precious metal and both countries have very strong, well-developed mining sectors. Australia is the world's third largest exporter of gold with mining accounting directly for approximately 8.5% of its GDP. Canada is the world's third largest producer of gold. These 2 countries have strong economies and currencies. Whilst Zimbabwe has huge Gold and other mineral reserves these have been properly leveraged out to create liquidity in the country’s Economy. There is need for Zimbabwe to move away from total dependency on a foreign currency whose economy has nothing in common with Zimbabwe’s.

The Economy and Industry is currently reportedly operating at approximately 45 -50 % of capacity. This is significantly higher than the 10-20% capacity utilization before the introduction multiple currencies in 2009.Now the multiple currencies have achieved their main intended purpose which was to stabilize the Economy. This goal has now been achieved and the next phase which is growth requires the use of a softer currency which closely mirrors the country’s macro and micro economic conditions and the US$ can be used in its traditional sense as a foreign currency but not to permanently replace the Zimbabwe dollar.

Gilbert Muponda is CEO of GMRI Capital .He can be reached at gilbert@gmricapital.com
Skype ID - gilbert.muponda
Website - www.gmricapital.com
Face book -http://www.facebook.com/GMRICAPITAL

Monday, May 2, 2011

ENG to list on ZSE


By Darlington Musarurwa
ENG Capital Holdings, which faced the possibility of closure after the 2004 local banking crisis, is considering listing on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) in the next 18 months in a process that is expected to raise an estimated US$5 million.

The holding company’s investment and asset management arms were placed under voluntary liquidation in February 2004.
However, liquidator Mr Reggie Saruchera, managing partner of Grant Thornton Camelsa, noted that the assets of the liquidated firms were actually in excess of the liabilities.


In an interview with The Sunday Mail Business last week, ENG Capital Holdings co-director Mr Gilbert Muponda said the company is planning to allocate between 5 percent and 10 percent of shares to its creditors and clients.

He also indicated that the listing is not being pursued to raise money but to “broaden and strengthen our shareholder base”.


“Our main reason to seek a ZSE listing is not to raise money but rather to broaden and strengthen our shareholder base.

“There are people who have been loyal and supportive to ENG Capital since day one and throughout the difficulties, and we firmly believe they should be rewarded with shareholding.

“These include the former ENG creditors who have fully been re-paid, but we still feel they deserve a share allocation. In addition, there are well-wishers and sympathisers like the close to 10 000 Facebook friends and fans on my account and the ENG account who have been supportive and shown great loyalty under very challenging circumstances.

“These individuals deserve an allocation of shares to share in the growth.

“So, 5 percent to 10 percent of the company will be allocated to these groups as a gratuity for the unwavering loyalty.
“We intend to list on the ZSE within the next 18 months, most likely via a market introduction. At this stage it’s unclear how much we will seek to raise but a general estimate is around US$5 million depending on market conditions given how illiquid the market is,” said Mr Muponda.


It is believed that initial valuations of the excess assets have indicated that there is sufficient value and operation capacity to meet and exceed all the ZSE listing requirements.

Also a local financial institution has been appointed lead financial advisor to handle the proposed listing of ENG.
Presently, ENG Capital has engaged the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and other regulatory authorities in an attempt to resume its business in Zimbabwe, building on the excess assets that were returned to the directors and shareholders.

It has since been established that Allied Conveyors, a firm which manufactures mining equipment for both the local market and the region, has been handed over to the directors.

Despite pursuing a listing on the local bourse, ENG contends that it must be given back its bank, which has since been merged into Interfin Banking Corporation.

According to the ENG boss, the merger of Century Bank, which was an ENG subsidiary, with other financial institutions was irregular and illegal since it was in contravention of the Anti-Corruption Act of Zimbabwe.

Added Mr Muponda: “CFX Bank was a product of an irregular and illegal merger between Century Bank (an ENG subsidiary) and CFX Bank. I challenged that merger on various grounds highlighting its illegality and irregularity through High Court case HC 6244-04.

“My co-director, Nyasha Watyoka, supported this motion by filing a supporting affidavit. We and our lawyers — Messrs Ziweni and Company — were specified as a way to incapacitate us from completing HC 6244-04.

“As you are aware, according to the Anti– Corruption Act of Zimbabwe, assets of specified persons cannot be legally sold, bought or disposed of as they are part and parcel of an investigation and evidence in legal proceedings.


“In short, according to the Zimbabwean law, you cannot sell assets which are subject to legal proceedings which assets would be required as evidence in those proceedings.”
ENG is still challenging the process in the courts.


The Affirmative Action Group (AAG) recently urged the central bank to reinstate the ENG licence.
In the aftermath of the banking crisis, most of the banks whose balance sheets were considered to be wobbly were placed under curatorship.


Trust Bank, Royal Bank, Time Bank and Barbican Bank have been re-licensed.
Royal and Trust Banks have resumed operations while Time Bank and Barbican Bank are still making preparations to open their doors to the public.- The Sunday Mail

Saturday, April 23, 2011

ENG Capital Holdings Limited Public Notice


ENG Capital Holdings Limited Public Notice

Due to the liquidity crunch and financial crisis of 2003 and 2004 which affected the whole Zimbabwe financial market ENG Capital and many other financial services firms were negatively affected.
1- On 18 February 2004 The High Court of Zimbabwe at Harare Case HC 145-04 and 244-04 was granted placing ENG Capital Investment P/L and ENG Asset Management P/L into voluntary liquidation as a way to secure the firms’ Creditors. This action did not affect or include ENG Capital Holdings Limited which was the main holding Company.



2- ENG cleared all debts after the liquidation of the company its subsidiaries above. Some of the assets in excess of the claims made were returned to the Shareholders, Contributories and Directors. This has been confirmed by the liquidator, Mr. Reggie Saruchera, Managing Partner of Grant Thornton Calmesa. Further, we have copies of the High Court papers declaring that all the ENG’s past and present and future debts have been fully paid which are available for inspection at the High Court in Harare.



3- The final liquidation and distribution account was approved by the Master of High Court after it had laid for inspection without any objections. The record finished laying for inspection on 31 October 2008. Master of High Court issued the relevant documents confirming all debts had been cleared.



4- A notice in terms of Companies Act section 281 was published in the Zimbabwean Government Gazette. After the approval by the Master of High Court the liquidator handed back an operational company known as Allied Conveyors P/L to ENG Investments P/L Shareholders and Directors since it was excess to requirements to meet creditor claims. This confirmed that ENG Capital Investments was solvent and met all its obligations.



5- On 15 July 2010 The High court of Zimbabwe at Harare High Court Case HC -6086-09 confirmed that ENG Capital and its directors had “satisfactorily liquidated all debts past, present and future accumulated by the Company.”



6- The High Court Case HC 6086-09 also ordered the return of the following vehicles to ENG Capital Shareholders, Directors and Contributories ;

- Mitsubishi RVR – Registration – 792 -035 G

- Mercedes Benz C 320 Registration – 793 – 699 H

- Mercedes C 180 Registration - 778 – 980 R

- BMW Z 3 Registration – 740 372 B




ENG Capital Limited has engaged the Regulatory Authorities on the way forward to resume its business in Zimbabwe building on the excess assets which were returned to the Directors and Shareholders. A leading Zimbabwe Bank has been appointed Lead Financial Advisors to handle the proposed listing of ENG on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange in line with commitments being made to Regulatory Authorities to broaden ENG shareholder base.

ENG Capital Limited Directors, Shareholders and Contributories would like to thank all regulatory Authorities who assisted in the process particularly Ministry of Finance , the Attorney General’s Office, the High Court, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, Ministry of Justice ,Ministry of Home Affairs (Co-Ministers) and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

25 April 2011
ENG Capital Holdings Limited - Directors, Shareholders and Contributories
Website ; www.engcapital.ca SKYPE ID – eng.capital

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Zimbabwe cant afford the ban on used car imports

Zimbabwe’s economic and financial situation cant afford the ban on used car imports which is due to become effective at the end of June 2011.Whilst theoretically the idea seem noble and with good intentions the country is suffering from severe liquidity crisis and very low salaries with some workers reportedly earning as little as $ 150 per month. This makes it impossible for such an employee to ever save enough money to ever buy a car with new cars priced from around $ 20,000.

In Africa and Zimbabwe generally a car is a very important asset which every family should be in position to acquire. This is mostly to do with the unreliable public transport systems .Particularly the transport system to visit the rural areas in many cases requires cars and the new regulations just about makes it very difficult for many families to be able to buy a car.

The main theory advanced is that the imports are hurting local car industry which is also based on imports given that Zimbabwe does now have an indigenous car making company. This argument of trying to protect few big importers of new cars or car kits is ruinous in that it condemns thousands of other individuals who have been importing cars over the years and these cars including commuter omnibus minibuses have served the country’s needs at an affordable price.

The second theory that imported reconditioned cars are past their life since they would have been fully depreciated in accounting terms totally misses the point. There is a huge and material difference between a car’s accounting life (book value) and its economic value according to its Net Present Value (NPV) derived from its discounted cashflows (DCF) based in cash generated or cash saved through the use of the car over its usable life. Under most accounting systems a car would have a maximum life of about 5 years which is just a quarter of its economic life of 20 years (the period most cars are in usable condition).

It is therefore very unrealistic and short-sighted to ban imports of cars just basing the decision on one variable i.e the accounting life of the car. This totally ignores its economic life which is more practical and more important particularly given how Africans and Zimbabweans have become very resourceful in extending car lives given the general resource shortage.

In many advanced countries cars are on the road well into 20 years after first year as new. The financing systems are in place which allow people to replace cars more often as this is a very well supported industry. People are given incentives to replace their cars sooner because these countries can afford it plus this acts as stimulus for their car industries. This explains why the governments of Canada and USA took bold steps to save General Motors and Chrysler ,this was to protect the industry.

In Zimbabwe’s case that industry is actually stronger on the importing and repair side and as such the Goverment policy should be loosening import constraints to allow more cars to be imported.This will reduce car prices and allow people to replace their cars sooner and slowly eliminate the much older and dangerous cars off the road as recent imports will be cheaper and available.The proposed ban is therefore a step in the wrong direction in terms of solving old car and dangerous car problem on Zimbabwe’s roads.

The Government Gazette on April 1 2011 of Statutory Instrument 44 of 2011 (2) section 1 (2) ("Title and date of commencement of the Road Traffic (construction, equipment and use) Regulations, 2010, published in Statutory Instrument 154 of 2010 as amended by the deletion of 1st of December, 2010"), and the substitution of 1st of July, 2011.

Government in September last year gazetted Statutory Instrument 154 of 2010 (Road Traffic Construction), which provided that vehicles that have been on the road for at least five years would not be allowed to enter the country after March 31 this year.

The statutory instrument says in part: "No person shall import any vehicle for registration and use on any road in Zimbabwe if the year of manufacture from the country of origin is more than five years. Provided that this shall not apply to any motor vehicle registered in Zimbabwe before the 31st of March, 2011."

The statutory instrument also stipulates that left-hand drive vehicles would not be registered after March 31 2011 and would be banned from Zimbabwean roads by December 31 2015. Left-hand drive vehicles are considered technically unsuitable for Zimbabwe's roads. The ban, which was initially set for March 31 this year before being extended to June 30 is now set to be effected end of June this year.

For a country which does not have a solid and reliable public sector transportation system the availability of cheap ,imported cars is necessary especially to assist small start up businesses. This sector is based on being able to improvise and being resourceful and having a small run about car is one of those “must have” for a small business still starting out.

The move to ban imports is therefore undesirable and counter productive in terms of making it very difficult for start ups to acquire cars which they require for day to day running of a business. It is interesting to note that business lobby groups such as CZI ,AAG and civil organizations such as ZCTU and ZIMTA have been rather silent over the issue even though their members will be affected by the ban.

This article was prepared exclusively for 3MG MEDIA by GMRI Capital www.gmricapital.com

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