News / National
Zimbabwe to review VISA and immigration laws
09 Mar 2018 at 11:38hrs | Views
Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared the urgent need by his government to review VISA requirement and other immigration laws in order to promote investment.
Mnangagwa met the country's business people at Harare International Conference Centre on Thursday for an interactive session.
"In line with Zimbabwe is open for business mantra, we are working on reviewing our VISA requirement and other immigration laws," he said.
A Business Visitor's Permit (BVP) in Zimbabwe is granted for 30 days and is nonrenewable, according to the Department of Immigration website.
Mnangagwa said his government is aware of the challenges faced by travelers at Zimbabwean borders and ports of entry.
He urged responsible authorities to eliminate border porosity, smuggling and reduce cross border crimes. "Cases of corruption, extortion and bribery at our ports of exits and entry must end. Officials at these points must desist from all forms of corruption," he warned.
Mnangagwa charged that deliberate delays on customs clearance or immigration procedures should not be allowed to happen as these stand to be conduits to solicit for bribes.
"Our borders and ports of entry are the faces of our nation. What happens there has a bearing on the image of the country."
The Zimbabwean government, according to Mnangagwa, is working on eradicating bottlenecks in business by introducing One Stop business centre which will provide efficient and transparent issuance of business approvals.
Since his inauguration in November 2017, Mnangagwa has been trying to brand Zimbabwe as a country which is open for business.
He told business delegates that his "government has restored some dignity and sanity on the roads" by significantly reducing "roadblocks to allow free movement of people without delays or extortion."
Mnangagwa met the country's business people at Harare International Conference Centre on Thursday for an interactive session.
"In line with Zimbabwe is open for business mantra, we are working on reviewing our VISA requirement and other immigration laws," he said.
A Business Visitor's Permit (BVP) in Zimbabwe is granted for 30 days and is nonrenewable, according to the Department of Immigration website.
Mnangagwa said his government is aware of the challenges faced by travelers at Zimbabwean borders and ports of entry.
He urged responsible authorities to eliminate border porosity, smuggling and reduce cross border crimes. "Cases of corruption, extortion and bribery at our ports of exits and entry must end. Officials at these points must desist from all forms of corruption," he warned.
Mnangagwa charged that deliberate delays on customs clearance or immigration procedures should not be allowed to happen as these stand to be conduits to solicit for bribes.
"Our borders and ports of entry are the faces of our nation. What happens there has a bearing on the image of the country."
The Zimbabwean government, according to Mnangagwa, is working on eradicating bottlenecks in business by introducing One Stop business centre which will provide efficient and transparent issuance of business approvals.
Since his inauguration in November 2017, Mnangagwa has been trying to brand Zimbabwe as a country which is open for business.
He told business delegates that his "government has restored some dignity and sanity on the roads" by significantly reducing "roadblocks to allow free movement of people without delays or extortion."
Source - Byo24News
