Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
CABINET has approved a comprehensive review of licences, permits, levies and fees in the agriculture sector, specifically targeting the livestock, dairy farming and stockfeeds sub-sectors.
Yesterday’s approval follows President Mnangagwa’s directive last week that the ease of doing business initiatives must be implemented, with a commitment to review levies, licences, fees and permits across 12 key sectors within six months.
Announcing the approval by Cabinet yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the review was essential, not only for compliance with the President’s instructions, but also for fostering an environment conducive to economic growth.
The focus on agriculture, a cornerstone of the economy, reflects the Government’s commitment to alleviate financial burdens that have historically hampered productivity and sustainability in this vital sector.
In the beef value chain, farmers, abattoir operators and meat processors presently face multiple fees from different regulatory bodies for livestock movement permits, veterinary inspections, meat grading and slaughter, among other things.
These costs are often duplicated across agencies, making it expensive for players to operate formally.
It is envisaged that under the new reforms, the Government will consolidate these charges and lower the overall financial burden.
Many of these are levied annually, creating heavy compliance costs, especially for start-ups.
For the food processing sector, which includes bakeries, canneries, beverage manufacturers and small-scale agro-processors, regulatory costs include inspection fees, product certification charges, health and safety licences, and local authority permits.
Said Dr Muswere yesterday: “In fulfilment of last week’s Cabinet directive and His Excellency the President’s instruction, Cabinet considered and approved the review of licences, permits, levies and fees subject to further refinements in the agriculture sector, focusing on livestock, dairy farming and stock-feeds sub-sectors.
“This is also in line with the implementation of the on-going case of ease-of-doing business reforms, which aims to reduce the cost of doing business and enhancing growth in the Zimbabwean economy.”
In line with the ongoing reforms, the Cabinet’s review is expected to provide a clearer and more streamlined approach, ultimately enhancing the ease of doing business in the agriculture sector.
This move is part of a larger strategy to stimulate economic growth and attract investment, ensuring that Zimbabwean businesses can thrive in a competitive marketplace.
Meanwhile, Dr Muswere said in terms of the economic growth pillar of the National Development Strategy 1, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, highlighted that the mobilisation of tax revenue and non-tax revenue has surpassed the set target.
“Under the economic growth and stability pillar, the tax and revenue management system is being implemented in three phases and has achieved the following: the projected active taxpayer target was surpassed due to nurturing activities for new registrants and also intensified follow up on already registered taxpayers; a strategy to engage associations and other stakeholders, who deal with unregistered taxpayers, has been put in place and there was improvement from the first quarter performance of 25.25 percent performance on-time compliance rates,” he said.
Under the civil works projects, ZIMRA Maitengwe staff houses in Matabeleland South Province have been completed, while ZIMRA Chiredzi office block in Masvingo Province is nearing completion.
Works on the IDBZ Gutu Solar Project in Masvingo Province and IDBZ Kadoma Cluster Housing Development in Mashonaland West Province are underway.
