To make soap you need caustic soda which is imported. Organic oils are locally available. If you export soap but that government takes 85% of you hard currency and gives bond notes you will simply be out of business after a few batches because nobody outside Zimbabwe will sell you caustic soda for bond notes.
That is how government has been killing local industries. I know for a fact that Unilever, then Lever Brothers, was exporting soap and other consumables from their factory here. They actually made plans to upgrade that factory to a regional manufacturing hub for Southern, Central and East Africa.
How ever that is when Gono started his crazy monetary policies and exchange controls. Around 2000 which eventually led to hyperinflation starting around 2004. Unilever then simply upgraded the factory in Kenya and transferred engineers from Zimbabwe there. Several of my classmates were send to Kenya.
Heavy handed ignorant tactics by those in power are the main reason why the economy tanked. Where else in the world does government pass laws overnight. You wake up one morning and your goods already in customs suddenly need a permit. Or you wake and your hard currency is gone replaced with worthless numbers and paper.
Nobody in their right senses can run a business in Zimbabwe because you don't know what government is dreaming and on which side of the bed they will wake up. Only people after a very quick buck or those with massive capital who can afford to arm twist or eat together with politicians can do business here.
The startups are buried before they are born. You certainly can't plan more than a year or two ahead because government policy us fickle, unpredictable and emotional rather than logical.
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