Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
THE government has expanded its ease of doing business reforms to cover the wholesale and retail sectors, introducing key measures designed to reduce operational costs, fees, and licence requirements.
In a statement released on Friday, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, said the interventions are meant to create a more conducive business environment and promote growth within the sector.
Under the latest arrangement, most permits for the sector have been merged or consolidated for the benefit of the operators.
Furthermore, treasury has slashed fees, permits, and costs for the retail and wholesale sector value chains, including bottle stores or liquor shops.
Tourism, hotel, and lodge fees have also been slashed by 50 %, while property fees have been reduced to US$1 000 from US$3 500.
The government has also slashed effluent waste management costs for the wholesale and retail sectors of the economy.
The move is among a raft of measures being pursued by the government to streamline the costs of doing business, with the livestock, tourism, and transport sectors having also benefited.
