Exports had been scheduled to commence early this year after negotiations were concluded late last year.

However, CSC chief executive officer Mr Ngoni Chinogaramombe yesterday said this had been put on hold because inspectors from those countries were yet to come and check on CSC abattoirs.

"We are ready to start exporting, but inspectors from both markets have not turned up as of last year for the formal inspections of our facilities. So we cannot start exporting until they come," he said.

Mr Chinogaramombe was quick to express optimism that they would "come any time".

Both Hong Kong and Malaysian officials have already received beef samples from the parastatal. The inspectors were expected in the country last year in November, but had not arrived as planned.

Asked whether the deals could be resurrected, he said: "We cannot start talking about so many things now. What is important is to concentrate on getting those markets."

Source: allafrica.com