Online Reporter
Government has approved sweeping reductions in regulatory fees, licences and compliance costs affecting key sectors of the economy as it moves to enhance ease of doing business.
Compliance fees for all local authorities have been revised downwards, parking fees have been slashed and in some cases levies have been abolished. The move is expected to not only boost businesses but also improve profit margins and promote investment.
President Mnangagwa has said Government will continue implementing bold policy reforms aimed at stimulating investment, accelerating industrial growth and creating jobs. What is, however, disturbing is that local authorities are taking long to comply with the Government directive to reduce the various fees they are charging businesses.
Motorists in the different towns and cities are still being charged US$1 an hour for parking yet Government directed that the fee be reduced to 50 cents an hour. Government capped the clapping fees at US$20 but some councils are still charging more.
Retail outlets are supposed to benefit more from abolished fees which were discouraging businesses from expanding.
A retail outlet which wanted to expand to include a bakery had to obtain a fresh licence but this has since been abolished.
Retail outlets can now expand their range of services to include takeaways, restaurants and bottle stores without seeking new licences as was the case in the past but what is discouraging is that many councils are yet to effect this.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe urged businesses and residents to report councils that are not complying with the Government directive on fees and rates so that corrective action could be taken. Minister
Garwe said Government’s move to revise fees and other levies downwards was meant to boost businesses and attract new investors to cities and towns hence the need for councils to effect the revised fees.
To complement this bold move by Government, Cabinet Ministers have been urged to ensure there is no unwarranted rigidity inflated individualities and bureaucratic lethargy in the discharge of duty by civil servants, state enterprises workers as well as council employees.
Minister Garwe should therefore move swiftly to ensure all councils comply with the Government directive on the various fees and levies to enhance ease of doing business and attract investments.
Defiant council should be dealt with decisively because they are enemies of progress. Citizens look up to Government to facilitate investments across all sectors hence the need to whip into line defiant councils that continue to frustrate potential investors by charging high regulatory fees.
Councils have an obligation to ensure Zimbabwe remains a safe, secure and competitive investment destination.
