The Business Regulatory Review Agency (BRRA) has expressed concern over the recent trend by local authorities to introduce various levies which can potentially impact negatively on businesses, especially small-scale enterprises.

An example is Chisamba Town council which recently announced the introduction of levies on eggs, chickens, livestock and sand through by-laws.

BRRA Chief Executive Officer Sharon Sichilongo says the authority has also received reports about similar levies under other local authorities as well as complaints regarding high rates being charged by Mumbwa District Council on properties in the tourism sector.

Ms Sichilongo says although BRRA acknowledges that Local Authorities like Chisamba Town Council and Mumbwa District Council are mandated to introduce levies and charge property rates, the Agency is concerned that the local authorities are overlooking the importance of weighing the impact of the levies they are imposing on businesses.

She explains that the Business Regulatory Act requires that an impact assessment should be undertaken before introduction of any measures that will affect business.

In a statement to Money FM News, Ms. Sichilongo says Zambia has been implementing business reforms aimed at creating a friendly business environment and these reforms are resulting in increased economic benefits.

“The tendency to disregard the principles and provisions of the Business Regulatory Act is retrogressive as it may lead to the country losing the benefits of the improvements gained through business reforms”, she warns.

Ms Sichilongo has emphasised that the Business Regulatory Act is complimentary to any law regulating business and therefore, applies to all regulatory agencies and indeed to any regulation of business activity.

She explains that this means that a public body proposing a policy or regulation framework has to undertake a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) and submit a RIA Report to BRRA for Approval.

The BRRA CEO has since urged all local authorities to put the laid principles into consideration as they contemplate introduction of any levies and fees.