Business agency says levies can affect growth

TRYNESS TEMBO, Lusaka
THE recent trends in local authorities of introducing various levies have the potential to negatively impact on the growth of the small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) says.
Recently, Chisamba Town Council introduced levies on eggs, chickens, livestock and sand through by-laws while Mumbwa Town Council introduced levies on properties in the tourism sector.
However, BRRA director and chief executive officer Sharon Sichilongo said the agency is concerned that the local authorities are overlooking the importance of weighing the impacts of the levies they are imposing on businesses.
Ms Sichilongo said in a statement on Wednesday that the Business Regulatory Act requires that an impact assessment should be undertaken before introduction of any measures that will affect business http://epaper.daily-mail.co.zm/