Online Reporter
National Editor
THE Government expects the latest Ease of Doing Business and Regulatory Fees Reforms across all sectors of the economy to further enhance domestic product competitiveness, stimulate private sector and lure more foreign investment in line with President Mnangagwa’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” policy.
This comes as the Government rolls out a latest wave of reforms, which Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, says are a product of a multi-stakeholder process led by the Office of the President and Cabinet, with support from the Treasury, and technical assistance from the World Bank.
This frame work will see Zimbabwe join a few countries in Africa implementing such comprehensive cross-sector regulatory reforms simultaneously, including slashing compliance costs, thereby, positioning the country as a leader in creating a conducive environment for business growth, job creation, productivity and competitiveness, he told delegates to the Zanu-PF
Annual National People’s Conference that ended in Mutare on Saturday.
In his detailed “State of the economy report”, Prof Ncube said the reforms are being rolled out sector by sector, commencing with the agriculture sector, specifically the livestock, dairy, and stock feed value chains.
“These reforms are expected to boost economic competitiveness, stimulate private investment, and support the attainment of the country’s Vision 2030 of becoming a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society,” said Prof Ncube.
“They are also aimed at removing structural bottlenecks and enhancing the ease of doing business environment, and reducing the cost of doing business.”
He said the Government is already seized with elevating efforts to retain agriculture as the mainstay and engine of the economy, cognisant of its crucial role in job creation, particularly for the rural population where it is supporting 65 percent of livelihoods and the bulk of the country’s exports.
“The sector has been constrained by excessive regulations, high compliance costs, and duplication of responsibilities across institutions,” said Prof Ncube.
“For example, dairy farmers previously required up to 25 permits across 12 agencies. Feed manufacturers needed 23 permits from 10 departments, beef cattle farmers faced 18 requirements, while abattoirs required 20, dairy processors 21, and feed processors 23.
“Multiple overlapping permits have been streamlined, with significant fee reductions on farm registrations and livestock movement clearances.”
Going forward, Prof Ncube said a comprehensive review of levies, fees, licences and permits across 12 key sectors, including agriculture, retail, tourism, transport, energy, manufacturing, and financial services will be accelerated.
“On transport, fees for vehicle-related licences and transit fuel costs have been drastically lowered or eliminated, improving logistics efficiency.
“In tourism, Government has been conducting a comprehensive review of levies, licenses and fees within the tourism sector to reduce the financial burden on operators, enhance the competitiveness of tourism offerings,” said Prof Ncube.
Guided by the structured, “Whole-of-Government Approach”, he said a 100-day Accelerator Model already engages ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) collaboratively with private sector stakeholders to ensure consensus-driven reforms.
The recommendations undergo Cabinet review before legislative or statutory instrument implementation.
Prof Ncube made reference to some of the high-impact foreign investments in response to the key reforms ushered in by the Second Republic.
Among these is the Thuli Coal project in Matabeleland South Province, close to US$1.5 billion Dinson Iron and Steel Manhize project in the Midlands Province, Namib Minerals resuscitation of Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, Manicaland Province, Mapinga Industrial Park in Mashonaland West, Prospect Lithium projects in Mashonaland East Province and Bikita Lithium Mine in Masvingo Province.
