Phone: +260 211 259165, Email: info@brra.org.zm
Press releases
Lusaka, 7th March, 2024 – The Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) and the Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) have signed a five year memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering a conducive business and investment climate.
The parties have agreed to create a common platform to facilitate interaction in order to exchange ideas and information on various matters concerning the business and investment climate.
This will in turn help to promote reforms that facilitate an efficient, cost-effective and accessible business licensing system in Zambia and allow the two parties where appropriate, to jointly undertake monitoring and evaluation activities for purposes of obtaining an informed position on business and investment or economic related issues.
The MoU, which is a framework for enhanced collaboration between the two parties, shall further facilitate sharing information of mutual interest on business regulatory environment challenges and interventions affecting businesses at district and national levels in identified sectors.
The two parties have committed to conduct joint training and development, and capacity building related to business reform agenda as well as better regulatory delivery.
Mrs Sharon Sichilongo signed on behalf of the Business Regulatory Review Agency while Director General Mr. Andrew Chipwende signed on behalf of the Public Private Dialogue Forum in Lusaka.
Background.
The Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry established in accordance with the Business Regulatory Act No.
3 of 2014. The mandate of BRRA is to ensure an efficient, cost-effective and accessible business licensing system. To fulfil its mandate, the Agency reviews and approves proposed policies and laws that affect business activity to ensure they are legitimate and serve the intended regulatory purpose as well as coordinates development and implementation of appropriate Government-to-Business interventions in order to reduce the regulatory burden on business.
Public Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF) was established as a dialogue platform with a view to strengthen collaboration between public and private sector in order to drive impactful reforms for the purpose of innovation, job creation, investment and economic growth. The over-arching and primary objective of the PPDF is to create a better business enabling environment thereby harnessing trade and investment opportunities for the private sector locally, regionally and internationally.
Released by:
Masiye M Mulenga (Mrs)
Public Relations Officer
The Business Regulatory Review Agency
+260 977 321414
Email: m.mwanza@brra.org.zm
Lusaka, 29th February, 2024 – The Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) has directed the Chililabombwe Municipal Council and the Sesheke Town Council to immediately suspend the increment and introduction of new fees until the two Councils comply with the guidelines outlined in the Business Regulatory Act, No. 3 of 2014.
The Chililabombwe Municipal Council has increased the truck levy to five Hundred Kwacha (ZMW 500) from three hundred and fifty kwacha (ZMW 350) effective January 2024 while Sesheke Town Council intends to introduce the entrance fee of One Hundred Kwacha on all trucks entering the Boarder Post effective 1st March 2024.
BRRA Executive Director Sharon Sichilongo said the directive follows the two Council’s failure to adhere to guidelines outlined under section 6 of the Business Regulatory Act, No 3 of 2014 which requires all regulatory agencies and public bodies to undertake a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and public consultations with stakeholders and submit a RIA report and consultation report to the BRRA for consideration.
Mrs. Sichilongo added that Chililabombwe Municipal Council and Sesheke Town Council also contravened section 26 of the Local Government Act, No. 2 of 2019 which stipulates that a proposed by-law or council resolution introducing a licence, permit or certificate shall be subject to the licensing procedure and criteria under the Business Regulatory Act of 2014.
She has encouraged businesses to be proactive like the Truckers Association of Zambia who engaged the Agency after the two Councils increased the truck levy and introduced new fees without conducting Regulatory Impact Assessments and undertaking stakeholder engagements.
Mrs. Sichilongo has therefore, cautioned all regulatory agencies and public bodies to desist from introducing measures intended to regulate business activity without approval from the Business Regulatory Review Agency as these may be burdensome on businesses.
Released by
Masiye M Mulenga (Mrs)
Public Relations Officer
The Business Regulatory Review Agency
+260 977 321414, Email: m.mwanza@brra.org.zm
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