Government has launched consultations aimed at reviewing Zimbabwe’s liquor licensing legal framework, with a focus on reducing licence fees, streamlining application procedures and improving the ease of doing business for operators in the sector.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, through the Liquor Licensing Board, is today, in Bulawayo holding a consultative session with physical planners, health directors and relevant representatives from local authorities on the proposed reforms.
The consultations come as Government intensifies efforts to create a more business-friendly environment while ensuring compliance with public health and safety regulations governing the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages.
According to the ministry, the workshops will focus on reviewing and, where applicable, revising liquor licensing levies downwards to ease the financial burden on businesses.
Stakeholders will also discuss measures to streamline licensing procedures and processes to improve efficiency, reduce delays and eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that have long been a concern among operators.
Another key objective of the consultations is to enhance the ease of doing business and improve compliance within the liquor industry by creating a more responsive and practical regulatory framework.
The review is expected to gather input from local authorities, which play a critical role in the administration and enforcement of liquor licensing regulations in their respective jurisdictions.
Industry players have previously called for reforms to the licensing system, arguing that high fees and lengthy approval processes can discourage investment and growth in the hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Government has prioritised regulatory reforms aimed at promoting investment, supporting entrepreneurship and improving service delivery across various sectors of the economy.
The stakeholder consultations are expected to provide recommendations that will inform amendments to the existing liquor licensing framework and help align it with the country’s broader economic development objectives.-herald
