ZIMRA ENGAGES FEMALE CLIENTS
THE Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) held a Women in Business Workshop, which brought the tax collector closer to its female clients and stakeholders.
It also encouraged women to share knowledge and expertise and best practices so that they contribute to the growth of the economy in a more efficient and effective manner.
Speaking at the Multi-Stakeholder Workshop, Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise representative, Mrs V Mashangwa, said ZIMRA and the country are directing their efforts towards the fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
“Zimbabwe’s vision of an upper middle economy by 2030 as emancipated by President Mnangagwa in NDS1 cannot be achieved without the active participation of women in the socio-economic development of the country.
“This platform will go a long way in assisting women to grow their businesses, comply with the various tax requirements in place and ensure that they are spared from fraudulent activities by touts at the border posts and other areas where ZIMRA services are obtained.
“The Ministry is happy to announce that our women participated in four expos this year in Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Botswana. It is important that women be conversant with the tax clearance requirements so that there is ease of doing business.
“In Botswana, Zimbabwe came first and the Ministry came second overall. This is also an indication that with support, women have great potential and we are happy that ZIMRA has set the stage,” she said.
She indicated that COMESA has come up with a simplified Customs Clearance procedure for its Member States used by small scale cross border traders to facilitate easy import and export of their goods.
“The goods should be listed on the COMESA Simplified Trade Regime Common List and should be for re-sale or use in business.”
She also advised women to take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement AFCFTA which was signed in March 2018.
“The agreement, among other issues, seeks to promote and attain sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, gender equality and structural transformation of the State parties.
“It is envisioned that Free Intra-African trade will help women by lowering the gender wage gap, and will help all workers by increasing decent employment opportunities and a growing manufacturing sector will provide new job opportunities, especially for women,” she said.
Reducing barriers to women’s participation also increases the number of women in business and manufacturing.
Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Minister, Sithembiso Nyoni has been advocating for the empowerment of women, a move which has paid dividends.