Visiting investment consultants from the United States of America and Canada have implored Zimbabwe to consider setting up a gold reserve bank and introduce a gold currency with a view to attract international capital. Apart from bringing money into the country, the use of gold as a currency could also increase confidence in Zimbabwe’s currency, financial system and ultimately economy.
Local economists, however, said that the lack of reliable information from mineral exploration makes it difficult to use gold to back currency. Another challenge would be the value of the gold which is determined on the world market, which may make the gold backed currency volatile.
An economist with the Africa University, Mr Thomas Masese said that instead of a gold bank to resuscitate or grow the economy, Zimbabwe needs to work on economy hygiene issues such as the cost of doing business, boost production, etc.