Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has directed that the ease of doing business initiatives be implemented immediately, with a commitment to review the levies, licences, fees and permits across 12 key sectors within six months.
This initiative seeks to simplify processes for businesses, ultimately fostering a more conducive environment for economic growth.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in Harare.
Dr Muswere noted that the existing licencing framework, which necessitates a multiplicity of requirements, creates unnecessary complexities and administrative burdens for entrepreneurs.
“Cabinet considered and approved the review of levies, licences, fees and permits on business by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government,” he said.
At the beginning of this year, President Mnangagwa expressed concern over the high level of levies, licences, fees and permits levied by Government departments, saying they raised the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe.
“The President directed a review of levies, licences, fees and permits across 12 sectors, namely: Health; Agriculture; Retail; Tourism; Transport; Energy; Manufacturing; Broadcasting; Telecommunications; Liquor; Construction; and Financial Services,” said Dr Muswere.
“The study established, among other things, that some of the regulators require a single business to obtain multiple fragmented licences or permits, adding unnecessary complexities and administrative burdens.
“Other regulators have lengthy procedures and processes before they can issue their respective licences”.
Dr Muswere said in order to provide relief to businesses, the Government has directed the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, in collaboration with the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet and line Ministries, to superintend and coordinate detailed sector reviews on the levies, licences, fees and permits.
He said the review will specifically address economy-wide regulatory challenges, including the multiplicity, duplication and fragmentation of regulatory charges.
“Once approved, the reviewed fees and levies would be implemented through amendment of the respective legislation and Statutory Instruments,” Dr Muswere said.
“This reform process will significantly streamline and reduce the burden on the people, business, enhance national competitiveness, attract investment, promote economic growth, create employment and catapult the country towards the attainment of Vision 2030.”
He said a whole-of-Government approach will be adopted and bring together respective ministries, departments and agencies as well as business for a consensus-based review.
Dr Muswere said the process will adopt a 100-day cycle-based Accelerator Model and detailed recommendations agreed upon by stakeholders will be submitted to Cabinet for approval.
The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said they anticipate completing the process by the end of this year.
He said the 12 identified sectors will not be the only ones, but a starting point, as all the sectors will be visited.
Prof Ncube also clarified that these levies, licences, fees and permits are not taxes and not part of fiscal taxation.
“This is not a sprint but a marathon, so we are going to focus on this during the second half of this year, which is up to December,” he said.
“We have already started to review the 12 sectors so far, going in-depth regarding the various fees that have been paid by operatives.
“The next six months, the work will be done, next week or the week after, we will be concluding on the agricultural sector and making announcements on the specific reviews.”
