Cabinet Reviews Fees Across Agriculture, Transport And Sport

Government has moved to scrap and review licences and permits across agriculture, education, transport, sport and the natural stone export sub-sector as part of efforts to improve the ease of doing business.

Addressing Tuesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda said Government remains focused on cutting costs, eliminating unnecessary red tape and streamlining regulatory processes to support local and formal sector growth.

The latest review covers licences, permits, levies and fees charged by ministries, departments and agencies. To ensure full coverage of the economy, Cabinet has expanded the process to include outstanding sectors that were not part of the initial 13 priority sectors approved last month.

Cabinet has approved a reduction in the Agricultural Marketing Authority’s industrial hemp registration fees and in the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe’s industrial hemp application processing fee.

However, in education, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education fees, comprising annual school affiliation fees, ZIMSEC annual affiliation fees and examination fees, will remain at current levels, while the formalisation of tricycle registration and licensing of riders is on the cards.

“The Vehicle Change of Ownership fees remain unchanged for all types of vehicles,” said Soda.

In sport, the Sport and Recreation Commission’s six per cent gate takings levy has been cut by half, while the Zimbabwe Football Association’s six per cent levy on gross match-day revenue has also been halved.

The Premier Soccer League levy, which currently stands at 10 per cent of net match-day revenue, has been reduced to four per cent.

Soda said the local authorities’ 15 per cent venue hire levy has been cut to 10 per cent of total gross attendance.

The outdoor advertising fee charged by local authorities has been capped at US$2.50 per square metre, while cemetery entry fees have been scrapped.

“Meanwhile, the reviews will be effective upon the finalisation of the requisite statutory instruments,” said Soda.

More: The Herald