HARARE, (New Ziana)– The Zimbabwe government has approved a sweeping review of business-related levies, licences, fees, and permits in a move aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and boosting economic competitiveness.
Addressing the media after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said the move follows a directive by President Emmerson Mnangagwa earlier this year, who raised concern over the proliferation and high cost of regulatory charges that have stifled investment and imposed heavy burdens on entrepreneurs.
”Cabinet considered and approved the review of levies, licences, fees and permits on business by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government. His Excellency, the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, at the beginning of the year, highlighted the high level of levies, licences, fees and permits raising the cost of doing business in Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said President Mnangagwa ordered an Inter-Ministerial review of charges across 12 key sectors, Health, Agriculture, Retail, Tourism, Transport, Energy, Manufacturing, Broadcasting, Telecommunications, Liquor, Construction, and Financial Services after it emerged that businesses were being suffocated by fragmented and duplicative licensing requirements.
A comprehensive study commissioned by Government found that many businesses are forced to obtain multiple permits from different regulators within the same sector, often with overlapping mandates, he said, adding that lengthy bureaucratic procedures were also found to delay the issuance of licences, discouraging both local and foreign investment.
In response, Muswere explained, Cabinet has now tasked the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Professor Mthuli Ncube, working in coordination with the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya and relevant line Ministries, to lead a structured review process that will simplify, harmonise and rationalise regulatory charges.
”This is part of our commitment to removing structural bottlenecks, improving the ease of doing business, and propelling Zimbabwe towards an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” said Muswere.
He said the reform will follow a 100-day cycle-based Accelerator Model, bringing together Ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in a Whole-of-Government approach. Business stakeholders will also be actively engaged to ensure the review is consensus-driven and industry-informed.
When completed, the agreed recommendations will be submitted to Cabinet for approval and implementation will be done through amendments to existing legislation and relevant Statutory Instruments.
New Ziana
