Maputo — The Mozambican Government has approved a decree extending the number of activities that can qualify for simplified licensing procedures from seven to nine.

The new areas added to the list are fisheries and culture. The seven areas that already qualified are agriculture, industry, construction, tourism, sport, transport and communications, and trade and services.

The new licensing procedures, adopted by the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) at a meeting in Maputo on February 2, also speeds up procedures by allowing documents to be submitted by e-mail.

Previously the licensing fee varied depending on the activity concerned.

Now all those who apply for licences using the simplified licensing procedure will pay the same fee, set at 50 per cent of the minimum monthly wage paid in the public administration.

That minimum wage is currently 2,380 meticais (about 88 US dollars) a month, and so the licensing fee will be 1,190 meticais.

Simplified licensing is dealt with at the Government’s Single Attendance Counters (BAUs), where they exist, or in the district administrations and municipal councils.