Government says it will start publishing the necessary legal instruments this week to enforce recently approved reductions in licences, fees, levies and permits across several key economic sectors.
Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube confirmed the development following pre-budget consultations in Bulawayo.
He noted that while government had already agreed to rationalise the cost structure affecting businesses, the changes could not take effect without statutory instruments (SIs) giving them legal force.
The reforms are part of a broader directive from the Presidency requiring all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to implement ease-of-doing-business improvements across 12 sectors within a six-month period.
The sectors targeted include agriculture, tourism, transport, energy, health, retail and wholesale, broadcasting, telecommunications, liquor trading, manufacturing, construction and financial services.
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However, up to now, approved fee cuts have not translated into actual cost reductions because the legal instruments were still outstanding.
Minister Ncube said the instruments will now be rolled out progressively:
“You will start seeing the legal backing for these cost reductions from next week. Each ministry will announce its revised fees and administrative procedures through statutory instruments, and some changes will also appear in the Finance Act proposals in the upcoming National Budget.”
He added that the phased approach is intended to ensure each ministry aligns its licensing frameworks with broader national reforms.
“We have already worked on parts of agriculture, retail, wholesale, transport, and tourism. Next week we focus on the energy sector, then continue until all priority sectors are covered,” he said.
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