The ZIMRA Change Management programme started full throttle with a high-level workshop, which took place at a hotel in Juliusdale from 20 October to 24 October 2019.

Among those who attended the workshop were the ZIMRA Director of Strategy Mr Joey Shumbamhini, the ZIMRA Change Management Programme Chairperson Mr Batsirai Chadzingwa, and a whole host of managers from different divisions and Regions. This team has been selected as the lead agents of the ZIMRA Change Management, which is expected to breathe fresh air in the way that the Authority conducts its business.

The ZIMRA Change Management has ten main objectives, which include elimination of fear and foster innovation within the Authority. The other main objective is to eliminate silos and foster a culture of teamwork within ZIMRA. Another major objective of the change management programme is to increase staff and client satisfaction and to strengthen the ZIMRA image through a robust rebranding exercise.

“As an organisation, we are basically changing so that we achieve our strategic goals as enunciated in our five year strategic plan. As ZIMRA, we are changing three things, mainly the organisation, the people the processes and systems,” said Mr Joey Shumbamhini, the Director of Research and Strategy in the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. 

Mr Shumbamhini highlighted that some of the major take aways from last week’s workshop included lack of effective communication among divisions, low staff morale, culture of fear within the Authority and a general lack of trust among ZIMRA personnel.

“To this effect, change management is coming in to correct and rectify some of these glaring shortcomings which have a potential to undermine the successful execution of our mandate as an organisation,” said Mr Shumbamhini.

ZIMRA is embarking on a robust change management programme, which shall see a drastic transformation of the way the Authority conducts its business. The change management programme is part of the Authority’s 5-year strategy, which runs from 2019 to 2023.  

Teams conduct building exercises

Attendees follow proceedings as the consultant during the Change Management Workshop

The business community seems to be taking seriously the ZIMRA client education initiatives, if numbers which attended the Mutare Breakfast meeting are anything to go by. The breakfast meeting was convened by the ZIMRA management team in Mutare to explain contents of the 2019 National budget and how it impacts on business operations. The meeting was attended by players in the Mutare business community, Small and Medium Enterprises representatives, and a number of associations in the freight and forwarding industry.

As part of its stakeholder relationship-building programme, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) commemorated the International Customs Day in Victoria Falls with attendees coming from various players in the freight forwarding industry, security services, local government including the Victoria Falls Mayor and the District Administrator and a delegation from the Zambia Revenue Authority. The theme for this year’s event was “SMART borders for seamless Trade, Travel and Transport.”

The 2019, 8th edition of the Zimtrade Annual Exporters Conference rolled into life on 17 – 18 October 2019 under the theme Rethink, Reform, Export” with the support of policy makers, experts, development cooperation partners and stakeholders such as the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority,(ZIMRA).

The conference, which was held in Bulawayo for the first time since inception in 2012, attracted more than 500 local and foreign delegates, among them captains of industry, government officials, exporters, buyers and private and public players in the economy.

Guest of Honour at the conference, His Excellency President E.D Mnangagwa underscored the need for engagement across all sectors of the economy to forge strong business linkages and to create a strong environment for export growth.

“I am honoured to officiate at this occasion. I attended last year’s event and realised that it gave a platform for constructive dialogue that creates an enabling environment to boost trade. I am pleased that 2019 has depth and an analytical approach, giving us an opportunity to exchange ideas, to stimulate productivity and economic growth through an export driven strategy. It is befitting that the conference is being held in Bulawayo as it is a special economic zone. The theme of this conference is timely because it challenges all stakeholders to introspect and to increase foreign currency generation,” said Honourable Munangagwa.

He added that there is need for urgent private and public synergies to stabilise and grow the economy under the banner Zimbabwe is open for business”.

As part of the Discussants at the same conference under the session, ”Reforming the Policy environment, for Zimbabwe’s export growth, Commissioner General for ZIMRA, Ms Faith Mazani said  that ZIMRA was ready to advocate to and to  implement policies that will go a long way in broadening exports.

“ZIMRA stands firm in spearheading innovation and coordination and to work with all stakeholders in the export sector. I implore you therefore to work with us in increasing tax and duty compliance. Once we take this burden and carry it together, we can truly succeed. We need to share the burden equally, it is unfortunate that a few are complying with their tax obligations, said Ms Mazani.

She added that Zimbabwe should fight against corruption as the cost of corruption is destroying the nation.

The Zimtrade annual conference aims to foster dialogue and linkages between delegates and business leaders from different sectors and to come up with solutions will improve Zimbabwe’s trade balance. Zimtrade has also successfully driven the Market for Eastern and Southern Africa trade agreements to which Zimbabwe is a signatory and has opened up more markets for locally value-added manufactured products.

Players from the tourism sector took some time to meet with ZIMRA Region 2 to discuss challenges being faced in the industry and how to improve the modalities of doing business in the sector.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has taken a significant leap forward in facilitating trade with the launch of the E-Tariff tool. This innovative digital platform simplifies tariff searches and customs procedures, making it easier for businesses and customs officials to navigate the complexities of international trade.

Developed by Global Trading Solutions (GTS) with support from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and funding from the European Union, the E-Tariff tool boasts a user-friendly interface. This allows users to quickly search for tariffs and estimate customs duties, empowering importers to plan accordingly and reduce uncertainties and clearance costs.

At the launch event, Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion, Hon. Kuda Mnangagwa, praised the E-Tariff tool. "This innovative system will significantly simplify the tariff search process, making it easier for traders to classify goods and estimate duties," he said.

The European Union's head of programmes, Mr. Frank Porte, emphasized the EU's commitment to supporting Zimbabwe's economic development. "The E-Tariff tool is just one example of our dedication to capacity building and trade facilitation in Zimbabwe," he said.

The E-Tariff tool's demonstration, conducted by GTS representative Helen Scrimgeour, received overwhelmingly positive feedback from stakeholders. They expressed optimism about the system's potential to enhance trade operations, and boost efficiency, transparency, and compliance in Zimbabwe's trade environment.

The launch of the E-Tariff tool marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe's journey toward modernizing its customs processes. With this innovative tool now operational, ZIMRA is poised to lead the way in promoting effective customs management, contributing to Zimbabwe's economic growth and development.

ZIMRA snatched the ZNCC BEST PUBLIC ENTERPRISE OF THE YEAR AWARD for Matabeleland Region amid pomp and fanfare at a colourful ceremony held in Bulawayo last Friday.

The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) annual Business Awards seek to honour and recognise business excellence and acumen leadership exhibited by business leaders such as ZIMRA.

ZIMRA won the award owing to its responsibility in creating and enhancing economic growth, promotion and the increased the use of local suppliers, content and materials in its operations and those of suppliers and partners with a proven track record during the year 2018 as deemed so by the independent adjudication committee that sat on Wednesday 5th of June 2019 in Bulawayo.

On 31 January 2019, ZIMRA Region 3 held a Breakfast meeting to discuss highlights of the 2019 budget announced by the minister of Finance on 22 November 2018. The meeting was held in line with the CG’s thrust of building partnerships with stakeholders.

By Severino Garah

In an exciting development for importers, exporters and clearing agents, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has rolled out the Port Health and Radiation Protection Authority Modules as part of the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window Project.

This initiative was launched on Wednesday, 9 October 2024. It is the second phase of the project, currently underway which aims to significantly improve the ease of doing business in the country.

The rollout took place at key entry points across Zimbabwe, including the Kazungula Border Post, Victoria Falls Border, Kariba Border Post, Chirundu Border Post, Nyamapanda Border Post, Plumtree, and Beitbridge Border Posts.

The Port Health module will also be implemented at Bulawayo and Victoria Falls Airports, ensuring a comprehensive upgrade to the country’s trade facilitation infrastructure.

The Single Window concept is a modern approach to international trade which allows importers and exporters to fulfill all requirements through a single electronic platform. It enables traders to submit documentation and receive electronic permits relating to import and export through a single window submission.

The aim of the single window is to ease trade through provision of a platform that requires less transaction costs and promotes faster processing time.

As a result, the streamlined process will reduce both costs and the time required for border clearance, making it easier for businesses to operate efficiently. The development is in line with government’s call for processes that improve ease of doing business.

The addition of this module comes against a background of government’s quest to have departments and agencies involved in trade to be added to the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window (ZeSW). This will naturally help Zimbabwe integrate better into global value chains (GVCs) as a result of simplified exporting and importing.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is supporting the ZeSW project as part of the harmonization of the customs service delivery initiative.