Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Bulawayo Chapter is today expected to meet Bulawayo Mayor Councillor David Coltart and the city leadership to discuss recommendations contained in the Chamber’s report titled Improving the Ease of Doing Business in Bulawayo: Survey Findings, Stakeholder Submissions and Policy Alignment Report.
The high-level engagement follows the release of the report, which identifies key challenges affecting the city’s business environment and proposes measures aimed at improving Bulawayo’s competitiveness as an investment destination.
Among the major issues expected to dominate discussions is the city’s parking management system, which the Chamber says requires urgent review to improve the ease of doing business.
The report, dated June 22, 2026, also raises concerns over the implementation of Statutory Instrument 41 of 2026, which standardises local authority fees and charges as part of Government’s Ease of Doing Business reforms.
“The Schedule to the Statutory Instrument sets parking at US$0.50 per hour and clamping at US$20 per incident, figures that the Government communicated as the new national benchmark for local authority charges,” reads part of the report.
According to the Chamber, businesses remain uncertain about the implementation of the statutory instrument, while concerns persist over compliance with the Government-prescribed parking fees.
Among its recommendations, the ZNCC urged the local authority and Tendi Three Investments (TTI) to reduce parking fees from US$1 to US$0.50 per hour and align all daily, weekly and monthly parking packages with the statutory rate.
The Chamber also recommended that authorities should not clamp vehicles for parking arrears below US$50, arguing that the current practice imposes disproportionate penalties on motorists.
“This protects motorists from a US$20 clamping penalty being imposed over a parking debt of only a few dollars, which is disproportionate and damages CBD footfall,” the report states.
Other recommendations include maintaining the clamping fee at US$20 per incident, publishing parking tariffs and enforcement procedures, verifying vehicle licensing status before clamping, and holding quarterly engagement meetings with business organisations.
The Chamber said its recommendations are aligned with Government policy objectives, noting that SI 41 of 2026 was introduced to reduce the cost of doing business, improve affordability and enhance Zimbabwe’s competitiveness.
The meeting comes as Bulawayo seeks to attract fresh investment and strengthen its position as the country’s industrial hub, with stakeholders expressing optimism that addressing operational bottlenecks will boost investor confidence, improve productivity and stimulate economic growth.
