By 3-Mob.com

Copyright 3-mob

The Zimbabwe Government has announced a slew of Ease of Doing Business and Regulatory Fees Reforms.

They are targeted at simplifying compliance, reducing costs, and enhancing the country’s investment climate, with the initial phase focusing on the agriculture sector.

The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Prof Mthuli Ncube, announced the changes.

Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, which is 65% of livelihoods and a significant portion of the country’s exports, has suffered under excessive regulations, high compliance costs, and overlapping institutional responsibilities.

For example, dairy farmers previously had to obtain up to 25 permits from 12 different agencies, while feed manufacturers needed 23 permits from 10 departments. Beef cattle farmers faced 18 requirements, while abattoirs required 20, dairy processors 21, and feed processors 23.

The reforms remove duplication, reduce costs, and simplify compliance to promote efficiency, competitiveness, and formalisation.

The reforms target specific areas to create a more efficient and business-friendly environment. Key changes include:

Farm & Processor Registration Fees: The Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) farm registration fees have been cut to a $1 flat fee, and registration is now abolished for small and medium-sized farmers. Dairy processor registration has been reduced from $350 annually to a one-time $50 fee, and feed manufacturing registration has been slashed from $150-$250 to a $20 flat fee.Livestock & Movement Permits: Duplicate local authority permits have been abolished, and the livestock movement permit fee has been halved from $10 to $5 per head.Import & Export Facilitation: Import permits for livestock genetics have been significantly reduced from $100 to $20. Export registration for dairy products has been lowered from $900 to $10, and for meat from $500 to $100.Health & Safety Compliance: The local authority health certificate cut from $300 to $100 annually, while the veterinary abattoir registration has been capped at a $100 flat fee. The abattoir establishment fee has also been reduced from $350 to $50 annually.Environmental & Utility Costs: The EMA effluent and waste disposal fee for dairy farmers has been reduced from $800 to $100 annually. The Environmental Impact Assessment Licence has been lowered from 1.5% of project value to 0.05%, capped at $100,000, with upfront payment no longer required. ZINWA borehole/water abstraction costs and water use fees have been scrapped.

Going forward, all future regulations will undergo a Regulatory Impact Assessment under the supervision of the Office of the President and Cabinet to ensure they do not undermine investment and economic growth.

These measures are designed to lower the cost of doing business for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), encourage investment and exports, create jobs, and stimulate rural development.

Subsequent phases of the reforms will extend to other strategic sectors, including Tourism, Transport, Retail, and more, ensuring a simplified, affordable, and business-friendly regulatory framework across the economy.

More details on the highlights

Farm & Processor Registration Fees:

Agriculture Marketing Authority (AMA) farm registration fees cut to $1 flat fee.Farm Registration Certificate abolished for small/medium farmers (now $50 only for large-scale farmers).Dairy processor registration reduced from $350 annually to a one-time $50 fee.Feed manufacturing registration cut from $150–$250 to $20 flat fee.

Livestock & Movement Permits:

Abolishment of duplicate local authority permits.Livestock movement clearance reduced to $5 per herd (down from $10 per beast).

Import & Export Facilitation:

Import permit for livestock genetics (heifers, bulls, semen) reduced from $100 to $20.Export registration for dairy products reduced from $900 to $10.Meat export registration reduced from $500 to $100 annually.Agricultural export permit reduced from $70 to $10 annually, harmonised with ZIMTRADE.

Health & Safety Compliance:

Local authority health certificate cut from $300 to $100 annually.Abattoir establishment fee reduced from $350 to $50 annually.Veterinary abattoir registration capped at $100 flat fee (down from $600).Scrapping of food handler health certificates.

Environmental & Utility Costs:

EMA effluent and waste disposal fee for dairy farmers reduced from $800 to $100 annually.Environmental Impact Assessment Licence lowered from 1.5% of project value to 0.05%, capped at $100,000 and payable during operations, not upfront.Scrapping of ZINWA borehole/water abstraction costs and water use fees.Groundwater permit cut to $10 per farm.EMA levies (effluent, generator) and ZERA levies abolished.

Other Reductions and Abolishments:

Scrapping of AMA livestock development levy.Scrapping of cattle levy and biosafety permit.Bio-safety registration reduced from $500 to $100 annually.Abolition of National Biotechnology Authority import compliance licence ($1,100).Abolition of Consignment-Based Conformity Assessment Certificate (CBCA).

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