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.

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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.

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The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) hosted its 7th Annual General meeting in the Capital on 27 June 2024 during which the ZIMRA Board presented the 2023 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA).

Speaking at this occasion, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Hon. David Kudakwashe Munangagwa, highlighted that it was important to appreciate the transparency and integrity that ZIMRA demonstrates in consistently and publicly sharing Audited Financial Statements and holding an AGM for a public institution that is charged with collecting revenue on behalf of government. 

“ZIMRA has consistently been complying with the best practice dictates of corporate governance, which require each state entity to convene an Annual General Meeting as prescribed by the Public Entities and Corporate Governance Act. This must be appreciated. 2023 marked the mid-point of ZIMRA's 5-year strategic journey from 2021 to 2025 and it therefore becomes an important opportunity to review the performance of ZIMRA thus far. I am pleased to report that despite the challenges, ZIMRA has made progress in ensuring it delivers on its mandate.

You will also appreciate that one of the key milestones achieved in 2023 was the implementation of the new Tax Revenue Management System (TaRMS), which replaced the previous system whose shortcomings had become a major pain point for taxpayers. The new TaRMS has delivered superior tax revenue administration and significantly improved the overall taxpayer experience,” Hon Munangagwa.

Board Chairman Mr Antony Mandiwanza who welcomed members to the AGM led the proceedings while the Commissioner General of ZIMRA Ms Regina Chinamasa said that the strategic vision of ZIMRA was to feed into the national vision and to contribute to the economic stability of the nation through strengthening resource mobilisation through digitilisation and through implementing the full release of TaRMS.

She added that in line with the Government's thrust of improving service delivery, ZIMRA had made significant progress in implementing various strategic projects like Fiscalised Device Management System (FDMS), Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window (ZeSW), the Contact Centre, the Command and Surveillance Centre.

“ZIMRA is also investing in cutting-edge technology, such as scanners and drones, to improve border control and cargo monitoring, helping to detect and prevent the smuggling of goods. These strategic projects, underpinned by the principles of digitalisation and automation, have been instrumental in ZIMRA's efforts to modernise its operations, enhance taxpayer customer experience, and strengthen the revenue collection capabilities. We have also put in place measures to fight corruption, create awareness and a corrupt free ZIMRA. ZIMRA is also committed to promote the welfare of its staff,” said Ms Chinamasa.

In attendance at the AGM were Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion officials, other Government officials, ZIMRA board members, ZIMRA Management team and staff members, ZIMRA stakeholders, Captains of industry and commerce, Zimbabwe Government Departments and Members of the Media Fraternity.

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.

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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.”

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Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) Beitbridge office recently donated an assortment of school uniforms and stationery to Lutumba Primary School, which brightened the day for the beneficiaries.

Led by Mrs Winfield Chiyangwa, the Shift Manager, Mr Bosswell Pasinawako, the Acting Human Capital Manager, and other staff members, Ms Monalisa Tsingo, and Mr Bright Mugadza, visited the school situated in the deep rural area of Beitbridge.

They were welcomed by school authorities, including the school head, Mrs. Ncube, and a gathering of excited parents and guardians. Children from underprivileged families were prioritised on the issuing of uniforms of which it is a basic necessity for school going children. It was not long before they all togged up in brand new uniforms provided.

Mrs Ncube expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the ZIMRA team for their generosity and concern for the welfare of the marginalised pupils at Lutumba Primary.

"This wonderful gesture from ZIMRA staff means so much to us," she said, her eyes brimming with joy. "It will go a long way in ensuring that our students have the tools they need to succeed in their studies."

The ZIMRA Social Responsibility Team played a pivotal role in organising this donation, and they expressed their gratitude to the ZIMRA Beitbridge staff and management for their continued support.

"Without their financial assistance, this gesture would have remained a dream," said Mrs Chiyangwa.

One mother at the event remarked, "This is truly a blessing. We have been struggling to provide our children with the necessary school supplies and now, thanks to ZIMRA, our worries have been alleviated."

The parents were thrilled with the generous donation of the new uniforms and shoes and were full of praise for ZIMRA.

The ZIMRA team promised to reach out again for further support to fund school fees and winter jerseys, during the cold season.

This act of kindness by the ZIMRA Beitbridge staff has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the lives of the pupils at Lutumba Primary School, reminding us all of the power of community collaboration and the transformative effect of a simple act of generosity.

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.

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The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), recently held a three-day tax education training in Masvingo.

The training aimed to equip journalists with the skills necessary to report effectively on tax and customs strategic issues, as well as their impact on the economic and social development of the nation.

"I'm now better equipped to report on tax-related issues and connect the dots between taxation and sustainable development," said Portia Muzorava, a young female journalist from MSU Campus Radio in the Midlands province.

She expressed increased confidence in her ability to create stories that will have a significant impact on her audience. Another participant, Beatific Gumbwanda, a freelancer based in Chiredzi, described the training as an "eye-opener" that helped fill the gaps in their understanding of ZIMRA's functions.

In his opening remarks, Batsirai Chadzingwa, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise who was standing in for the Commissioner General, thanked the journalists for their participation.

He expressed his belief that the training would help the media appreciate ZIMRA's role and its impact on the nation.

The training not only focused on ZIMRA's operations, but also highlighted the organisation's alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This holistic approach underscored the vital role that taxation plays in supporting sustainable development initiatives.

Melusi Tshuma, the national coordinator for Tax for SDGs with UNDP, explained the importance of taxes in the development of a nation. "We need to emulate the first world where taxes are religiously paid to their governments," he emphasized.

The training, which was attended by journalists from the southern region, including Masvingo, Chiredzi, Zvishavane, and Beitbridge, also included a tour of the Beitbridge Border Post.

During the tour, the journalists were introduced to the state-of-the-art scanning technology and drone surveillance system used to detect undeclared contraband and drugs.

The drones currently in use cover a 10km radius from the border post, with plans underway to expand the coverage to a 100km radius.

The comprehensive training and the exposure to ZIMRA's operations have undoubtedly equipped the journalists from the southern region with a deeper understanding of the organisation's crucial role in revenue collection, border management, and its contribution to Zimbabwe's sustainable development.

The Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window (ESW) initiative has made significant progress in streamlining and modernizing cross-border trade processes. With successful pilot run of the Port Health module, implementation at Forbes Border Post and Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport. The benefits of the ZESW are already apparent with positive impacts of the ZESW, including improved turnaround times, simplified procedures, reduced trading costs, alignment with international best practices, increased transparency, integrity, and enhanced revenue inflows to the government through ZIMRA.

In the first quarter of 2024, the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window system witnessed a significant number of transactions at Forbes and RGM International Airport. At Forbes, 791 import transactions and 72 export transactions were successfully processed, demonstrating the growing acceptance of the system by traders. Similarly, at RGM International Airport, 170 import transactions and 19 export transactions were efficiently handled. Additionally, the system facilitated the clearance of 45 human remains imports and 2 exports at RGM International Airport. With a total of well over a thousand transactions processed in just the first quarter of 2024, these figures highlight the increasing adoption and success of the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window system in streamlining trade operations.

One of the key advantages of the ZESW is the improved turnaround time for clearing goods and services. By digitizing and automating processes, the ZESW has eliminated manual paperwork and reduced administrative bottlenecks. This efficiency has resulted in faster clearance procedures, enabling businesses to save time and money. Additionally, the ZESW has simplified and harmonized procedures across different agencies, facilitating smoother trade operations.

The implementation of the ZESW has significantly reduced cross-border trading costs. By eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and paperwork, businesses no longer face excessive delays and associated expenses. Moreover, the ESW promotes transparency by providing a centralized platform for trade-related activities. This transparency enhances accountability, minimizes corruption risks, and fosters trust between traders and government authorities.

Mr. Anoziva Keche, a transporter from Beitbridge, expressed his anticipation for the positive impact of the system, stating, "The implementation of this system will enable us to conveniently submit our applications from our offices, which is undoubtedly beneficial. We are optimistic that it will lead to a significant reduction in turnaround time for our trucks at the border."

The ZESW in Zimbabwe aligns processes and procedures with international best practices. By adopting global standards, the country can enhance its competitiveness and attract foreign investments. The ESW enables Zimbabwe to integrate seamlessly into regional and international trade networks, facilitating smoother trade flows and increasing economic growth opportunities.

Ms. Vivian Nenhunzi, representing Kings and Queens Funeral Palour, expressed her belief that the system would greatly assist in alleviating the emotional burden on bereaved families. She stated, "The implementation of this system will undoubtedly make the process for bereaved families less painful. By utilizing the Single Window system for our applications, we anticipate that undertakers will spend less time at the border, allowing us to make the process less stressful for the bereaved families."

Additionally, Mr. Adrian Swarres, the Zimbabwe Electronic Single Window project manager from ZIMRA, highlighted the key benefits of the single window system. He explained, "The implementation of the single window system introduces an automated and seamless clearance platform. Clients will only need to submit their documents once to fulfill regulatory requirements. This streamlined process offers unparalleled convenience to clients, as they will have the ability to access payments and conduct transactions from the comfort of their own homes."

Building on the successes achieved, the ZESW continued to expand its coverage. With the  rolling out the system with Port Health module at Beitbridge completed in May 2024 and implementation at Plumtree expected to be completed before the end of June 2024. Simultaneously, the development of modules for the Ministry of Industry and the National Biotechnology Authority is underway, ensuring a comprehensive and integrated trade facilitation framework.