https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/05/in-full-thirteenth-post-cabinet-press-briefing-may-17-2022/

May 17, 2022

Under the 100 day cycle of Priority Projects reporting for 2022 the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development trained 100 beneficiaries under the Transformation of Community Groups from Informal Livelihood Projects into Formal Enterprises in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland South and Midlands provinces. The programme is now being cascaded to other groups while at the same time the trained groups are supported to certify their products with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe

Government Intensifies Economic Formalization Drive

Government has begun the process of crafting the Occupational Health and Safety Bill to increase the number of citizens covered by safety nets as part of efforts to improve livelihoods... The strategy is aimed at improving the workplace environment for the informal sector and putting proper infrastructure for decent work." This bill has to be extended to include the informal sector. The strategy is being developed in partnership between the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

ZIMRA Targets 35 000 New Tax Paying SMEs

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) is this year, once again, targeting to register at least 35 000 businesses in the small to medium enterprise (SME) sector as efforts intensify to increase revenue collections from the (SMEs) sector. This will ensure more businesses, especially in the largely informal SMEs sector, contribute towards the country's revenue collections. Registration is an important step in the formalizing of SMEs.

RBZ introduces foreign currency auction system for SMEs

Stakeholders have welcomed the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s (RBZ) move to allow Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) on the foreign currency auction system as a move that will go a long way in boosting their operations. Yesterday was the first time the SMEs auction was conducted resulting in about US$460 167 being allotted. Just like the main auction, the bulk of the funds were allotted for raw materials as well as equipment. A total of 40 bids were received and 7 were disqualified. The highest bid was $85 while the lowest was $75. The weighted average rate remained at the same level of the main auction. The foreign currency auction system was introduced by the RBZ as a means to dissuade businesses from turning to the parallel market in search of foreign exchange for essential imports.

Government Extends Ban on Private Kombis not operating under ZUPCO franchise

GOVERNMENT intends to extend the ban on privately-owned commuter omnibuses (kombis) beyond the national lockdown and will only allow them to operate under the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) franchise. This is part of elaborate plans to de-congest urban centres and modernise the public transport system. Kombis have been barred from operating since the lockdown started on March 30.

Government opens up ZUPCO franchise to commuter omnibus operators

Government has opened the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) franchise to commuter omnibus operators in a move likely to increase convenience for urban commuters. Officials from Zupco and a few transport operators yesterday penned a deal which will see the implementation of a pilot operation. The new deal comes as the transport utility is being revived by the Government as part of measures to build a safe and reliable transport system in the country.