https://www.herald.co.zw/cabinet-approves-two-bills-https://www.herald.co.zw/cabinet-approves-two-bills-2/

Oct. 11, 2022

Cabinet approves the Principles of the Companies and Intellectual Property Office of Zimbabwe Bill. The Bill will provide for the establishment of the Companies and Intellectual Property Office which will be  responsible for registration and administration of proprietary rights related to companies, other business entities and intellectual property in Zimbabwe.

Commercial Court division of the High Court opened.

The newly established Commercial Court division of the High Court opened. 
The court is expected to contribute towards the prompt resolution of commercial disputes according to international best practices, as well as enhance efficient justice delivery

The Judicial Service Commission to Implement a Paperless System.

Designing of a paperless system for the superior courts is now complete and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is ready to train staff on how to operate the new system ahead of the program's launch early next year." This system is to be rolled out first at the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, and Commercial Court, then followed by the rest of the High Court, Labour Court, Administrative Court, magistrates courts, and the office of the Sheriff.

Companies and Other Business Entities (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations, 2021 (No. 1)

Statutory Instrument 203 of 2021 updates the registration fees for companies.

Zimbabwe jumps 15 scores on the Doing Business Rankings 2019

Zimbabwe advanced 15 places from 155 to 140/190 after the Doing Business Index (DB) recognized five legislative improvements and a 4% increase in the Distance to Frontier score. These policy changes include "improving the online name search and lowering the Harare Municipality business licensing fee," "streamlining construction plan approvals," "reducing the time it takes to transfer property," "publishing official statistics on land disputes for the previous calendar year," and introducing a "new reorganization procedure, allowing creditors to vote on the reorganization plan, and allowing debtors to obtain post-commencement finance."

Enactment of the Companies and Other Business Act (Chapter 24:31)

President Mnangagwa has assented to three new laws aimed at guiding the Government’s political and economic reform agenda.

The three laws are the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act (MOPA) (Chapter 11:23), the Companies and Other Business Act (Chapter 24:31) and the Microfinance Act (Chapter 11:24).

Government has gazetted the Companies and Other Entities Bill (H.B 8. 2018) that seeks to modernise the registration and management of companies and improve corporate governance.

Government gazetted the Companies and Other Entities Bill (H.B 8. 2018) that seeks to modernise the registration and management of companies and improve corporate governance. The Bill will replace the outdated Companies Act promulgated in 1951. It is the first Bill to be gazetted following the legislative agenda outlined by President Mnangagwa when he presented his State of the Nation Address and officially opened the First Session of the Ninth Parliament last month.