Retailers welcome new shop licence regulations

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THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has welcomed the recently gazetted Shop Licences Amendment Act saying it will bring convenience, accountability and transparency to the sector.
The Act, which was gazetted a fortnight ago, introduced various legislative reforms aimed at facilitating the ease of doing business.
“The short term licences had been a great inconvenience and a huge cost driver to business. Electronic submissions will go a long way in easing doing business while improving accountability and transparency,” Denford Mutashu, CZR president, said in a statement to The Financial Gazette.
The amendments made to the principal Act include a provision for licences to be valid for a period as determined by a licensing authority. Previously, a licence was valid up to December 31 of the year in which it was issued or renewed. The new provision requires licences to be valid for a period of not less than twelve months but not more than five years.
The Act has also been amended to provide for a requirement for “licensing authorities to establish or cause to be established, or approve the establishment of electronic mediums, within five years, through which persons may submit applications for licences”.
In addition, among other provisions, the publication of shop licence application was abolished and licensing authorities will be required to give reasons for refusal of a licence.
The Act was sponsored by the previous administration as part of its drive to improve the ease of doing business in the country.
Zimbabwe is ranked 159 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business, according to the latest World Bank annual ratings.
The country’s rank improved to 159 in 2017 from 161 in 2016. Its rank has averaged 163 from 2008 until 2017, reaching an all-time low of 171 in 2011 and a record high of 153 in 2014.
Mutashu said retailers should complement the efforts of the government by paying their taxes and licence fees.
“The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers however urges the retail sector to compliment the efforts and reciprocate through paying for their licences and taxes to the fiscus so as not to hamstrung local authorities and government,” he said.