Zimbabwe’s new investment and business environment

Ease of Doing Business Reforms

Zimbabwe’s ranking with regards to the ease of doing business remains unacceptably poor, with its ranking only moving from 161 out of 190 countries in 2016 to 159 in 2017.

Government is, therefore, seized with the need to implement a much broader array of Ease of Doing Business Reforms.

His Excellency, the President, has also pronounced himself over measures to address the ease and cost of doing business.

Hence, the thrust of Government will be to make Ease of Doing Business reforms more practical and administratively accessible for actual day to day transaction processes to the ordinary Zimbabwean and foreigner intending to undertake business or investment.

Achievements to date, however, include:

• Reduction in the number of days for getting construction Permits, from 448 days to 120 days;
• Reduction in the period for property registration, from the previous 36 days to 14 days, and decentralisation to Local Authorities; and
• Investment in such enabling infrastructure as ICT, utilities, and roads rehabilitation.

A number of Bills that seek to address some of the ease of doing business concerns that are before Parliament, will therefore, be fast tracked.

These include:

• Insolvency Bill;
• Estate Administrators Bill;
• Deeds Amendment Bill;
• Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Bill;
• Shop Licensing Amendment Bill; and
• Public Sector Governance Bill.

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