. . . Slow uptake
. . . Sceptical users

ONLY US$2,5 million worth of bond coins out of the US$10 million set aside are presently circulating on the local market as banks under-ordered them, an official has said.

As a result, desperate consumers continue to receive an assortment of trinkets as change. The bond coins, whose value is indexed to the United States dollar, are in one cent, five cent, 10 cent and 25 cent denominations and were released onto the market on December 18 last year.

There is still enduring scepticism that the introduction of the bond coins is a precursor to the introduction of the Zimbabwean dollar.

However, both the Finance and Economic Development Minister, Mr Patrick Chinamasa, and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr Mangudya insist that the local unit will not be coming back into circulation anytime soon.

Critics claim that the central bank did not embark on sufficient public awareness campaigns to warrant a seamless absorption of the coins. Exactly 17 days after their rollout, bond coins are not readily available around the country. By last week supermarkets in Shurugwi, Zvishavane and Mberengwa had not taken delivery of the coins. The problem has also been affecting retailers in the capital.

Last week, Dr Mangudya said the coins were being distributed to businesses through normal banking channels from the Reserve Bank’s Bank Use Promotion Unit, adding that monetary authorities will monitor and ensure that they will be used as change to bring “decency” in the economy.

“The reason why bond coins appear to be in short supply is because banks under-ordered, presumably on the assumption that the take-up wasn’t going to be as good as it has turned out to be.

“This was coupled by the long weekend over the Christmas holiday. We are in the process of engaging banks to ensure full compliance. This is essential because the bond coins are distributed through normal banking channels, with users placing their orders through banks,” explained Dr Mangudya.

Banks have since embraced the coins.

In particular, the Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ) believes that their use will assist in restoring good pricing models and alleviate the problems associated with lack of change, issuance of change vouchers and change in the form of unwanted goods.

Government and the RBZ contend that a complete set of notes and coins will help lower the price of goods and services, but most retailers are yet to positively respond to the new development almost two weeks after the central bank moved in to address the issue of change shortage.

Formerly, retailers cited the unavailability of change as the reason for rounding off prices.

“Monetary authorities, however, continue to engage producers, service providers and retailers to appropriately price their products. Some manufacturers such as Delta Corporation have begun adjusting their prices, while the confectionery industry is mulling following suit.

“Prices of goods and services in the market should reflect the availability of change. Bond coins are supposed to enhance price competitiveness in the market.

“The introduction of bond coins is a fair and selfless initiative. It’s for the benefit of the nation at large. The motive is simple. We, as Zimbabweans, need to respect the value of the US dollar and to know that there is something below US$1.

“It’s about encouraging and enhancing price competitiveness. We need to respect the consumer.

“We need to improve the quality of life of people with the knowledge that a little change can change a lot of people’s lives. Bond coins are all about simplicity and giving value to the consumer. Giving consumers change in rands, tokens and or sweets is not an efficient system of trading when the pricing structure is in US dollars as is the case in Zimbabwe.

“Neither is adjusting prices by rounding up an efficient way of doing business. The price of a commuter omnibus is either $1 or 50 cents in cities, nothing in between, yet it could be 60 cents, 70 cents or even 75 cents. Prices of newspapers are all $1 irrespective of the cost of production,” said Dr Mangudya.

Bond coins are supposed to address such anomalies.

Added the Governor: “It is therefore clear that no one is trying to rob anyone of his hard-earned US dollars but, on the contrary, what the Reserve Bank is doing is to provide convenience to consumers and business and providing a platform for the optimum use of resources and to inculcate a sense of respect for smaller denominations in the economy under the multiple currency system. We need to have respect to take care of cents so that the dollars would take care of themselves. We also believe that it’s never too late to make a right decision in life.

“This is necessary in order for business to remain competitive, especially at a time when the US dollar is appreciating against major currencies. We are confident that within the next few weeks some prices of good and services shall be adjusted to reflect the availability of usable change,” said Dr Mangudya.

Meanwhile, the Urban Commuter Omnibus Operators of Zimbabwe has pleaded with its members to accept the new coins.

Mr Simbarashe Ngarande, the president of the commuter omnibus body, said commuter operators are now accepting the coins after their concerns were addressed.

“There was a challenge between commuter operators and service stations as the fuel providers where not accepting them.

“We had to engage the services of RBZ to assure service stations that bond coins were a legal tender and we urge our members to accept bond coins,” said Mr Ngarande.

Ignorance breeding scepticism

Debra Matabvu

MOST of the people interviewed by The Sunday Mail Business in the capital last week opine that the bond coins are a re-incarnation of the bearer cheques that were introduced in 2003 to deal with cash shortages.

The people spoken to believe that the apex bank has simply re-fashioned the tokens to deal with change shortages.

Generally, many do not understand key issues surrounding the bond coins and what underpins their value, signifying that there might be need for more public awareness campaigns.

However, most retailers such as OK Zimbabwe, Spar, TM and Food World are now accepting the bond coins, which is a step in the right direction.

Below are views from a snap survey in Harare.

Liberty Chaipa, Harare resident

“We are still sceptical about these new coins given that in 2009 we had Zimbabwe dollars in our saving accounts and when we switched to multi-currency, we were not given anything. This is why it is difficult for us to accept these coins.

“Also, given the history with bearer cheques, you might wake up and find that the coins are no longer legal tender in Zimbabwe. This will create problems, especially if you have a large sum of money.”

Bonni Chikwangangwana, a vegetable vendor

“We are not accepting the coins because farmers who come to Mbare musika from places such as Chihota, where I buy these vegetables from, are refusing to recognise these coins as legal tender, so I end up refusing the coins from my customers.

“There is need for Government to evenly distribute the coins in all areas as well as to raise public awareness regarding the coins.”

Simbarashe Chingwana, a commuter omnibus conductor at Copacabana terminus

“We are not accepting these new coins mainly because members of the public are refusing them.

“Secondly, we are afraid that customers might come with 50 one cent coins such that by the end of the day we will have sacks and sacks of coins. The other issue is that fuel service stations do not accept coins, especially if they are in large sums. Accepting these bond coins will put the business at great risk.”