The Government has approved a new round of reforms aimed at reducing the cost of doing business by reviewing licences, permits, levies, and fees in sectors not covered in the initial exercise.

The measures, approved by Cabinet following a presentation by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube, target agriculture, education, transport, sport and the natural stone export sub-sector.

Among the changes are lower registration and licensing fees for industrial hemp, including application processing, licensing and research permits administered by the Agricultural Marketing Authority and the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.

Cabinet also resolved to keep school annual affiliation fees, ZIMSEC affiliation fees and examination fees at their current levels. In the transport sector, tricycles will now be formally registered, with riders required to obtain licences, while vehicle change of ownership fees will remain unchanged.

To improve service delivery, Government will establish a One Stop Shop to simplify vehicle ownership transfers. Selected fees charged by the Sport and Recreation Commission will also be reduced.

The latest reforms are part of Government’s broader programme to remove duplicated regulations, scrap unnecessary charges and make it easier and less costly for businesses and investors to operate in Zimbabwe.