The World Bank’s Support to Economic Expansion and Diversification (SEED) Project says it has commenced construction works on the K 4 billion One-Stop Tourism Licensing shop in the tourism capital of in Livingstone.
And the Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources ministry has expressed confidence in the project saying once completed, the One Stop Shop would improve the business environment and stimulate investment in the tourism sector.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Livingstone today, SEED Project Supervising Engineer Joseph Chanda said the works being done in conjuction with the Zambian government , have reached an advanced levels and ahead of schedule.
“Works at the construction site of the One Stop Shop are progressing well and am happy to report that we are ahead of schedule,” he said.
Mr. Chanda said the K4 Billion, 8-months Project commenced in March this year and was expected to be completed in November.
And Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources Coordinator for the South-West Region, Harold Mweene said once completed, the One Stop Shop would improve the business environment and stimulate investment in the tourism sector.
Mr. Mweene expressed his optmism that the facility would benefit existing and would be investors in the tourism sector by reducing the time and cost involved in obtaining and renewing various licenses.
“Existing investors have for a long time faced the challenge of moving from one office to another to obtain and renew various licenses but they stand to benefit from the One Stop Shop alongside would-be investors through reduced time and cost of obtaining licenses,” he said.
Among the offices to be housed by the facility would include the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC), Zambia Development Agency (ZDA), Immigration Department, Livingstone City Council and other institutions that relate to the tourism industry.
Mr. Mweene said he was aware about high expectations from the public over the services that would be offered but cautioned that due to existing legal, institutional, and structural limitations, the development of the One Stop Shop would be phased over time to leave room for harmonization of conflicting requirements.
ZANIS
Good news. This will surely boost the economy of Livingstone and Zambia. Step in the right direction.
Corruption must be put to an end if this one stop shop will become a success-mind you a white man or most foreign investors do not tolerant curruption and those officers who will be carrying out the duties should be prepared to be doing their duties without expecting to be oiled. Trouble is, corruption is like a desease in our beloved Zed!
Kalos2121, critically and objectively analyze this project. Mind you it wasn’t launched by RB as a campaign move. Do you think it’s good for mother Zambia?
For the FIRST TIME we are hearing an engineer or a qualified personnel given chance to launch or announce the commencement of a project. # 3 Roger. This is a donor funded project. RB or no RB ,that project will progress.