Traders in Embu County can now sigh with relief as they will henceforth be required to pay for only one business permit for different commercial activities under one roof following the introduction of a new law by the County Assembly. The Embu County Trade Promotion, Development and Licensing Bill 2023, which was read a second time at the Assembly on Wednesday seeks to provide a legal framework to ensure ease of doing business. This is through among other issues, elimination of multiple trade licenses for one business entity and exemption of Persons with Disability (PWDs) from paying tax. Evurore Ward MCA Duncan Mbui observed that Bar and Restaurant owners have been required to pay multiple licenses including single business permits, liquor licences, public health certificate, tourism levy, music copyright license among others. He said under the new law, some of these licenses will be abolished to ease the cost of doing business. His Muminji Counterpart Newton Kariuki lamented that shop owners who were operating mobile money services, soft drinks refrigerators, stocked fresh fruits and sold utensils were required to pay licenses for each of every business category. At the same time, officers from the Embu County Revenue Authority (ECRA) were cited for going rogue and harassing traders demanding payment of numerous permits. Mavuria MCA Ngari Mbaka asserted that the County Government ought to be an enabler and not an impediment to commercial activities. Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh lauded the drafters of the new law for exempting PWDs from paying business permits, saying the move was humane and progressive. Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Muchangi Mwariama said the passing of the trade law would help the county government realize the projected revenue collection of Sh750 million for the 2023/2024 financial year. The Bill was sponsored by the County Assembly Trade, Tourism and Industrial Development Committee chaired by Kithimu MCA Julius Karuri.

Source: Kenya News Agency