Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE Government through the National Competitiveness Commission (NCC) is set to embark on a comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) to ascertain how different regulations including licensing fees impact business operations to enhance the ease of doing business and improve the country’s global competitiveness.
The assessment aims to evaluate whether existing regulations and licensing requirements are aiding or hindering business growth.
The initiative comes as part of a broader strategy to address long-standing challenges in the business environment and align with the goals outlined in the Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan.
Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu revealed the details of this initiative during an interview with Sunday News soon after the just-ended inaugural Competitiveness Summit held in Bulawayo last week.
Minister Ndlovu emphasised the Government’s commitment to creating a more business-friendly environment by streamlining regulations and reducing the cost of doing business.
“We just finished a successful National Competitiveness Summit, the first of its kind in our country where we brought Government and the private sector together to discuss at greater length the issues affecting our competitiveness and what needs to be done,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He highlighted the urgency of the matter, referencing the country’s 2019 global competitiveness ranking of 127 out of 141 countries, which he described as not a glorious rating.
The RIA, to be conducted by the NCC, will scientifically evaluate the impact of existing regulations on businesses.
“Our view and concern is that we have not given ourselves time to interrogate the impact of the regulations that we are coming up with, whether they are helping, aiding, or harming business,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He added that the assessment would take at least six months to complete, as it involves a thorough review of all regulations and the formulation of recommendations for each.
In addition to the RIA, the Government is working on creating a one-window licensing platform to simplify and consolidate the licensing process.
This initiative, guided by the Office of the President and Cabinet, seeks to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and reduce the cost of compliance for businesses.
“We will consolidate all economic ministries, and even social ministries that issue licences, to create a single window to Government,” said Minister Ndlovu. Under this new system, businesses will pay a single fee, which will then be distributed to the relevant departments internally.
“When you are paying, you will have to pay one fee, at the back office, they will have to distribute to various departments with much-reduced levies, fines, or fees,” he said.
This approach is expected to significantly lower the cost of doing business and improve efficiency.
The minister also revealed that each ministry has been directed to review its fees, licences, and processes to identify areas for improvement.
“We will be going through each ministry and coming up with recommendations on how we can streamline and lower certain fees and licences,” said Minister Ndlovu.
He emphasised that the Government does not intend to be a major contributor to the cost of doing business and is committed to addressing any inefficiencies in the regulatory framework.
Minister Ndlovu assured stakeholders that the process would be systematic and well-informed to avoid any unintended consequences.
“It has to be a well-informed process, not rushed. We do not want to then start reversing certain things,” he said.
He also expressed optimism about the changes expected over the year, noting that the Government is determined to create a more competitive and business-friendly environment.
The RIA and the one-window licensing platform are part of a broader effort to address issues such as informalisation, smuggling, and regulatory inefficiencies, which have long plagued the business sector.
By fostering greater collaboration between the Government and the private sector, the initiative aims to position the country as a more attractive destination for investment and economic growth.
As the Government moves forward with these reforms, businesses and stakeholders are encouraged to actively participate in the process to ensure that the outcomes reflect the needs and realities of the private sector.
With these measures, the country is poised to make significant strides in improving its global competitiveness and creating a more conducive environment for business growth. -@nyeve14
