ED sets licences, fees overhaul deadline

President Mnangagwa has directed the government to complete the review of licenses, permits, levies, and taxes by the first quarter of this year.

This, he said during his remarks at the first Cabinet sitting of the year at Munhumutapa Building in Harare yesterday, the President said the directive aligned with the Second Republic’s commitment to reform and enhance the business environment, attract investment and improve service delivery.

The review of levies, licences, fees and permits across sectors, including health, agriculture, retail, tourism, transport, energy, manufacturing, broadcasting, telecommunications, liquor, construction and financial services, has been ongoing since last year at his instigation, with some sectors having already implemented the new rates.

“These impactful changes should be implemented through the timely release of the necessary Statutory Instruments. I am aware that notable headway is evident with reform measures having been completed in some sectors,” said President Mnangagwa. 

He challenged ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to enhance engagement with a broader cross-section of industry players and stakeholders, as the country’s Executive must be receptive to the viewpoints, observations and recommendations of Zimbabweans. “This is at the core of our ‘People-centred Government under our ruling party, ZANU PF’,” said the President.

Patriotism, unity of purpose, ingenuity, hard, honest work and resilience exhibited during the five-year implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), the President said, should be carried over to yield results during the NDS2 period.

“The culture of results is now an embedded part of who we are, in the Second Republic and indeed as a people. 

“It is, therefore, incumbent on this Cabinet to sustain the ongoing development momentum, towards a people-centred, multi-pronged and transformative economic growth,” he said. 

The inter-connected nature of the country’s economy, added the President, remained essential to leveraging the growth of sectors such as agriculture, mining, infrastructure development, energy, tourism and manufacturing. 

In this regard, he said he expected that Cabinet members work with greater synergies, collaboration and complementarity.

“Our approach to the execution of duties and responsibilities must reflect the maturity of members and not petty competitiveness,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said the country remained hopeful of a successful agricultural season on the back of favourable rainfall patterns. 

“We remain positive that this will bring about success in the agriculture sector, to bolster our national food security and agri-business. Regrettably, some areas may encounter crop losses due to heavy rains received,” he said. 

As such, the President said Government will continue to implement concrete measures to mitigate the negative effects of weather-related disasters and challenges.