High licensing fees and excessive costs of doing business are creating barriers for retailers, according to Denford Mutashu, President of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR).
Speaking at a recent engagement with parliament, Mutashu highlighted the impact of licensing costs on small and medium-sized enterprises, which are crucial to Zimbabwe’s economy.
“Retail businesses are being hit with exorbitant licensing fees, with some businesses paying over $1,000 annually for permits. This is unsustainable and prevents many small businesses from thriving in the formal sector,” Mutashu remarked.
He further urged the government to consider reducing these costs to ease the financial burden on formal retail businesses and encourage a more competitive business environment.
