The paper that Zimbabwe business leaders presented to Mugabe

To enhance business competiveness, it is imperative that the Doing Business Reforms be, expanded to also, cover the cost of doing business and interrogating the underlying causes of the above costs, with a view to aligning to the region. The high transport costs, the high utility charges, red tape and delays at border posts, which augment the cost build up – there is need for a comprehensive review of every cost line that is contributing to the high costs of business in Zimbabwe.

The Doing Business Reforms have progressed under the guidance of the Office of the President and Cabinet with the objective of improving the doing business environment in Zimbabwe.

Some progress has been made and milestones achieved, notably streamlining the doing business reforms, with five key areas all under comprehensive review, from business (startup) registration, access to credit and finance, dealing with construction permits – streamlining several processes enhancing the doing business environment. Significant and far-reaching potential to create a business friendly environment.

We welcome the establishment of the beard for the National Competitiveness Commission – whose mandate is to address cost of doing business – and fact that its composition is drawn mostly from private sector – we hope its recommendations will be given timely consideration.

1.2.7 INVESTOR FOR ZISCOSTEEL

We welcome this announcement – although we do not yet have details of the status of the negotiations – Ziscosteel and steel production is a critical part of industrialization and of ecosystem comprising many downstream and upstream / sidestream sectors – we can only ask that the negotiations be pursued with the urgency and importance that they deserve.

We thank you Your Excellency for your leadership and support for these initiatives – which are critical building blocks for the recovery and growth of the economy.

We appreciate your clarion calls for an agenda for industrialization within SADC and in Africa during your tenure as Chairman of SADC which have resulted in industrialization becoming a lead issue in SADC.

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