President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday urged his Cabinet Ministers to prioritize reducing excessive business regulations, emphasizing that unnecessary fees, licenses, and permits should not stifle economic development.
Speaking ahead of the resumption of Cabinet meetings, the President stressed the importance of ensuring that businesses are not burdened by prohibitive regulations that hinder growth and investment.
“Emphasis should be on ensuring that business does not suffer from prohibitive regulations as well as punitive administrative licenses and fees required by your Ministries,” President Mnangagwa said. “Fees, licenses, permits, and regulations should promote economic development and not become an obstacle for those looking to create jobs and contribute to the economy.”
The President’s remarks come as Zimbabwe’s retail sector continues to grapple with an overwhelming regulatory environment. For instance, a supermarket in Zimbabwe is required to obtain over 25 different permits and licenses just to open its doors. This has raised concerns from business owners who argue that such a complex and expensive process is discouraging new investments and slowing down the growth of the retail sector.
