Special Economic Zones - H.B. 15, 2015
Explanatory Memorandum

This Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of the Special Economic Zones Authority and to provide for the functions thereof; to provide for the constitution and functions of the Special Economic Zones Board; to provide for the establishment of Special Economic Zones, the administration, control, regulatory measures and incentives.

The individual clauses of the Bill are explained below:

Clause 1
This clause sets out the Bill's short title.
Clause 2
This clause defines terms used throughout the Bill.
Clause 3
This clause provides for the establishment of the Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Authority and its corporate status.
Clause 4
This clause establishes the Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Board and cites its control and management of the Authority.
Clause 5
Under this clause the Board is constituted with no more than 11 members, six of whom shall be appointed form the private sector and four from govemment ministries and the chief executive officer as an ex-officio member.
Clause 6
This clause provides for the terms and conditions of office of members which include a maximum term of office of not more than three years and provision to be re-appointed for another final term.
Clause 7
This clause provides for the various possible scenarios that may disqualify a potential member ftom appointment.
Clause 8
This clause provides for the procedure to be taken wlien a member vacates office.
Clause 9
This clause sets out the various circumstances in which the Minister may dismiss or suspend a member.
Clause 10
This clause provides for the filling of vacancies within the Board in accordance with section 5.
Clause 11
This clause provides for the meetings and procedure of the Board, appointment of the Board Chairperson and the deputy Chairperson and the board meeting procedures.
Clause 12
This clause allows for the establishment of one or more committees of the board that would be chaired by a member of the Board.
Clause 13
This clause provides for the remuneration and expenses of members of the Board and committee of the board members.
Clause 14
This clause requires the disclosure of interests of members of Board and committee of the Board or a spouse of such a member and procedure to be followed once a conflict
of interest exists.
Clause 15
This clause highlights the scenarios that a decision of the board may be invalid.
Clause 16
This clause provides for execution of the contracts and instruments by the Authority.
Clause 17
This clause provides for the taking of minutes of the Board meetings and committees of Board meetings.
Clause 18
This clause sets out the functions of the Authority.
Clause 19
This clause with specific reference to the Schedule is fbr the powers of the Authority.
Clause 20
This clause provides for the establishment of Special Economic Zones by notification through the Gazette.
Clause 21
This clause for the applications for investment licences by potential investors provides for the provision of reports of the Authority to the Minister and the Minister reporting to Parliament.
Clause 22
This clause provides for appointment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority as well as other staff of the Authority.
Clause 23
This clause provides for the application of investment licences to the Authority.
Clause 24
This clause for the applications for developers permit licences to the Authority.
Clause 25
This clause provides for the consideration [o be undertaken for approval of investment licence applications.
Clause 26
This clause provides for the approval and or refusal of investment licence applications,
Clause 27
This clause provides for the period of validity of investment licences.
Clause 28
This clause ailows for the renewal of investment licences.
Clause 29
This clause establishes the register of all investment licenses including conditions, suspension amendments or cancellation of investment licenses, open for inspection by members of the public after payment of the prescribed fee.