THE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES REGISTRATION ACT, 2007
Section TItle
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. Short title and commencement. 2. Application. 3. Interpretation.
PART 11 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
4. Role ofMinister. S. Designation and functions ofthe ChiefRegistrar. 6. Main Registry.
PART III BUSINESS REGISTRATION CENTRES
7. Establishment ofBusiness Registration Centres. 8. Functions ofBusiness Registration Centres. 9. Appointment ofthe Registrar. 10. Registry.
PART IV
REGISTRATION OF BUSINESS
11. Compliance by regulated and unregulated business. 12. Application forregistration. 13. Particulars ofapplication. 14. Registration. 15. Validity. 16. Extent ofauthority ofcertificate ofregistration. 17. Exhibition ofcertificate ofregistration. 18. Local authority not to issue licences.
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PART V
SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, DE-REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION
19. Suspension, revocation, or cancellation ofcertificate ofregistration. 20. Notification ofintention to deregister. 21. Right to be heard. 22. Appeal. 23. Appeals Committee.
PART VI
OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF BUSINESS
24. Notification to Registrar. 25. Replacement of lost or destroyed certificate.
PART VII
ApPOINTMENT AND POWERS OF INSPECTORS
26. Appointment and functions of inspectors. 27. Powers of inspectors.
28. Offences.
PART VIII OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
29. Suspension, revocation etc. to be published.
30. Regulations. 31. Repeal. 32. Transitional provisions.
PART IX
FINAL PROVISIONS
SCHEDULE
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THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
No. 14 OF 2007
b. I ASSENT,
. /vt.:dL k;k~............~............... President
~~ lA -vd!. 2c-o~-................./..I!.~........) r An Act to provide for the establishment of a business activities
registration system, Business Registration Centres and to provide for matters related thereto.
ENACTED by Parliament ofthe United Republic ofTanzania.
PART I PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the Business Activities Registration Act, 2007 and shall come into operation on such a date as the Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, appoint.
2. This Act shall apply in Mainland Tanzania.
3. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
"Act" means the Business Activities Registration Act, 2007; "auxiliary business"means any business not specified in a business
registration which may be lawfully carried on under such registration; "BRELA"means a Business Registrations and Licensing Agency; "business"means any form of trade, commerce, craftsmanship or
specified profession carried on for profit, gain and to which the provisions ofthis Act apply;
Short title and comme- ncement
Application
Interpre- tation
4 No. 14
Cap. 212
Cap. 287 and Cap.288
Cap. 298
Business Activities Registration 2007
"Business Registration Centre"means a centre established in local authority for the purpose ofbusiness activities registration;
"business registration"means the process of registering business undertaking, business entity, enterprise, with a Registrar in a designated Local Authority in accordance with the provisions ofthis Act;
"business registration system" means the business registration system established under section 8 ofthis Act;
"certificate of compliance"means a certificate issued by a relevant licensing authority body to a business owner proving that the business complies with the relevant law governing that business;
"certificate of registration" means a certificate issued under section 14 ofthis Act;
"Chief Registrar" means the officer designated to be Chief Registrar under section 5 of this Act;
"core activity" means the main activity of that business; "company" means a company incorporated under the Companies Act,
or incorporated outside Mainland Tanzania and authorized by that Act to carry on business or to have a registered office in Mainland Tanzania;
"inspector" means an officer appointed by the Minister under section 26 of this Act;
"local authority" means local government authority established under the Local Government (District Authorities) Act, or the Local Government (Urban Authorities) Act;
"Main Registry" means the registry established under section 6; "Minister" means the Minister responsible for trade; "public servant" has the meaning ascribed to it under the Public Service
Act; "publish" means the publication of information relating to the Business
Registers in either electronic form or through printed material to all ministries and to the general public;
"Registrar" means a public officer appointed under section 9 ofthe Act in each local authorityjurisdiction;
"Registry" means the registry established under section 10 ofthis Act; "regulated business" means a business regulated under any written law.
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PART 11 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
4. The Minister shall, in relation to the powers and functions of local authorities conferred under this Act-
(a) formulate a national policy and regulatory framework for local authorities in relation to business registration system;
(b) coordinate and monitor the performarnce of local authorities for compliance with national policies, guidelines and standards;
(c) provide the necessary technical support or assistance to local authorities for the implementation ofthe respective functions;
(d) facilitate the exercise ofpowers and the discharge offunctions in a manner that gives due recognition to the autonomy oflocal authorities.
5.-( I) The Chief Executive Officer of BRELA is hereby designated to be the Chief Registrar of business.
(2) The functions of the ChiefRegistrar shall be-
(a) to receive qurterly updated registers of businesses from the Registrars ofeach local authority;
(b) to establish and maintain one composite register ofall businesses registered under this Act;
(c) to publish quarterly the composite registers of all Business Registration Centers within three months after the end of the quarter; and
(d) to ensure that each Registrar maintains minimum acceptable standards ofthe registry in hisjurisdiction.
6.-(1) There is hereby established a main Registry which shall link with the registries under the Companies Act, the Business Names (Registration) Act and any other registry or data base which may be integrated under this Act.
(2) The Minister shall ensure that the Main Registry is kept and maintained in accordance with prevailing international best practices with the use ofmodern technology and skills.
2007 5
Role of Minister
Designa- tion and functions of the Chief Registrar
Main Registry Caps. 212 and 213
6 No. 14
Estab- Iish- ment of Business Regis- tration centre
Func- tions of Business Regis- tration Centres
Business Activities Registration 2007
PART III BUSINESS REGISTRATION CENTRES
7-(1) There shall be established in each local authority a Business Registration Centre.
(2) Each Business Registration Centre shall be a section of the local authority.
8. The functions of the Business Registration Centre shall be-
(a) to register all businesses undertakings, business entities and enterprises in the area of its jurisdiction;
(b) to collect business information in the area ofits jurisdiction for the purpose ofpublic consumption;
(c) to ensure all business information collected is available for the purpose ofpublic record;
(d) to provide information and guidance to the public on the manner in, and extent to which businesses are to comply with legislation and regulations applicable to them;
(e) to provide information regarding services provided by the Government and other agencies to businesses including but not limited to training programmes, skills access in the form of technical advice and business development services, and the provisions oftrading and operational facilities such as hawker stalls and industrial parks;
(f) to provide a facility which may, as far as possible, be in aform similar to a website where any registered business may be entitled to place advertisements at a fee determined by the local authority with the approval ofthe Minister;
(g) to provide a registry ofinformation on all businesses operating within the area of its jurisdiction and ensure accessibility of such information to all branches and agencies ofthe Government and to all businesses;
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(h) to submit quarterly reports within three months after the end of the quarter to the Chief Registrar;
(i) to de-register businesses as and when necessary as provided for in this Act;
(j) to publish the current register ofall businesses registered in the area ofhis jurisdiction.
9.-( I) There shall be in each Business Registration Centre a Registrar who shall be appointed by the Minister responsible for local government.
(2) The Registrar shall be the head ofthe Business Registration Centre.
(3) The Registrar shall be answerable to the Chief Registrar on all matters concerning administration ofthis Act.
2007 7
Appoint- ment and functions of the Registrar
10. The Minister in collaboration with the Minister responsible for Registry local government shall ensure that each Registry is maintained in accordance with prevailing international best practices with the use of modem technology and skills.
PART IV REGISTRATION OF BUSINESS
11.-(1) It shall be necessary to obtain a certificate ofregistration from the Business Registration Centre in respect of every business.
(2) Any business which is not regulated under any written law shall upon application be issued with certificate ofregistration.
(3) Each Registrar shall notify the ChiefRegistrar on each regulated business that has been licensed to undertake any specified business by the respective Regulatory body.
(4) The owner, manager or person in-charge holding a valid certificate of compliance with the regulated business has no obligation to obtain a certificate ofregistration.
(5) A person shall not carry on business at two or more premises unless particulars ofboth premises are registered.
Compli- ance by regulated and unregu- lated business
8 No. 14
Applica- tion for registra- tion
Particu- lars of applica- tion
Cap.213
Business Activities Registration 2007
12.-(1) Any person who wishes to register a business of any local authority within the area of jurisdiction shall make an application for registration to the Business Registration Centre in such form as may be prescribed.
(2) Every application under this section shall be signed in the manner and by such person or persons as required under this Act.
13. Every application for business registration under this Act shall contain the following information-
(a) the name of the business;
(b) the date of commencement of the business;
(c) the name of the owner or owners of the business;
(d) whether the owner is a firm, a corporate entity or a natural person;
(e) if the owner is a firm, the partners, thereof;
(t) nationality ofthe owner;
(g) if the owner is a corporate entity, the registration number and date of registration ofthe company;
(h) whether the owner of the business has been registered in terms ofsection 4 ofthe Business Names (Registration) Act the name under which it was registered;
(i) in the case of a subsidiary business, the name and location of the head office;
G) the nature of the core activity ofthe business;
(k) the nature ofany auxiliary activity;
(I) the number ofemployees in the business and ifthe business has more than one branch, in each such branch;
(m) the physical and postal address ofthe business;
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(n) the telephone and telefax number or e-mail and website addresses ofthe business, if any;
(0) the chief executive officer or other person in charge of the management of the business;
(p) the extent to which, if any, that business has been granted an applicable certificate ofcompliance or authorization to trade or operate; and
(q) the Tax Identification Number (TIN) ofbusiness.
14.--(1) Upon receipt of the application, the Registrar shall cause the business activity to be registered in the prescribed form and shall issue to the applicant a certificate ofregistration in the form set out in the Schedule to this Act.
(2) Where the Chief Registrar or Registrar is not satisfied with compliance ofthe requirements set out under section 13, he may refuse to grant application for registration business and give reasons for refusal.
15. Every business registration shall be valid for the entire life ofthe business.
16. Nothing in this Act shall entitle any person to carry on business or business to be conducted in contravention of any law or regulation governing activities ofthat business, including but not limited to--
(a) town planning regulations;
(b) health regulations;
(c) safety regulations;
(d) environmental regulations;
(e) in relation to foreigners, the immigration requirements; or
(f) any regulation governing the conduct ofany specific type of business or profession.
20079
Registra- tion
Validity
Extent of authority of certifi- cate of registra- tion
10 No. 14
Exhibi- tion of certifi- cate of registra- tion
Local Authority not to issue licences
Suspen- sion, revoca- tion, or cancella- tion of certifi- cate of registra- tion
Notifica- tion of intention to de- register
Business Activities Registration 2007
17. Every person who is issued with a certificate ofregistration shall exhibit the same in a conspicuous place in the premises where the business is carried on.
18. No local authority, its agent, or any other person shall, save as provided for under any written law, have the power to issue a licence, permit or authorization required as a precondition for the right to conduct a business.
PART V SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, DE-REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION
19.-(1) The Registrar may suspend, revoke or cancel a certificate of registration issued under this Act ifhe is satisfied that-
(a) the premises has ceased to be used for the purpose for which the certificate of registration was issued;
(b) the business owner, manager or person in-charge has, since the certificate of registration was issued, been convicted of any offence against the provisions ofthis Act or any regulations made thereunder;
(c) the business owner has become bankrupt or if a company, has gone into liquidation; or
(d) the business has failed to comply with any condition of the certificate ofregistration.
(2) A person whose certificate of registration has been suspended, revoked or cancelled under this Act shall be required to surrender that certificate to the Registrar.
20. The Registrar shall, where he is satisfied that the business owner, manager or a person in-charge of business-
(a) does not comply with any law specifically governing activities of that type ofbusiness or the business has been liquidated or is no longer trading; or
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(b) furnished false information in the application for registration,
serve a notice ofthe intention to de-register to such owner, manager or as the case may be, the person in-charge of the business.
21.-(1) Any person who is served with a notification under section 20 shall be given an apportunity of appearing and making representation relevant to the proposed de-registration to the Registrar, and the Registrar shall consider such representations and decide accordingly.
(2) Where the Registrar deregister any business he shall, within thirty days from the date ofderegistration notify in writing the owner, manager or any other person in-charge ofthe business.
22.-(1) Any person who is aggrieved by-
(a) suspension, revocation or concellation ofa registration certificate;
(b) refusal of the Registrar to issue certificate ofRegistration;
(c) de-registration;
may, within sixty days from the date ofthe decision, appeal to the District Commissioner.
(2) Where the Registrar suspend, revoke or cancel the registration certificate that suspension, revocation or cancellation shall not take effect until the period within which an appeal against suspension, revocation or cancellation may be made to the District Commissioner has elapsed or, if the appeal has been made, until that appeal has been heard and determined.
(3) A person who is aggrieved by the decision of the District Commissioner may, within thirty days from the date ofthe decision, appeal to the Minister.
(4) Every appeal made under this section shall be in writing.
23. (I) The Minister shall, by Order published in Gazette, appoint such number ofpublic officers to be members ofthe Appeals Committee.
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Right to be heard
Appeal
Appeals Commit- tee
12 No. 14
Notifica- tion to Registrar
Replace- ment of lost or destroyed certificate
Appoint- ment and functions of Inspectors
Business Activities Registration 2007
(2) The Appeals Committee shall advise the Minister on any complaint made by any person in relation to decision made by the ChiefRegistrar or Registrar pursuant to the provision ofthis Act.
(3) A person aggrieved by the decision of the Minister may within thirty days from the date ofthe decision appeal to the High Court.
PART VI OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF BUSINESS
24. The owner, manager or any other person who is in-charge of a business shall be required to notify the Registrar ofa local authority in which his business is registered if-
(a) he ceases to operate business;
(b) his business is placed in liquidation;
(c) business premises are changed;
(d) his line of core activities has changed; or
(e) his business activities registration certificate is misplaced, destroyed or lost.
25. Any person whose certificate of registration has been defaced, lost or destroyed may upon application to the Registrar be issued with a duplicate certificate.
PART VII ApPOINTMENT AND POWERS OF INSPECTORS
26.-(1) The Minister responsible for local government shall, appoint such number of officers of the local authority to be inspectors for the purposes of this Act.
(2) Notice ofappointment ofevery inspector shall be published in the Gazette.
(3) The officers appointed pursuant to subsection (1) shall be a person who is a holder if a degree, diploma or certificate from a recognised institution:-
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(4) The inspectors appointed under this section shall, for purposes of implementation of this Act, be answerable to the Registrar and in that respect perform the following functions:-
(a) inspect and examine premises or place where business is carried on,and
(b) any other functions as may be directed by the Registrar.
27. An inspector shall, for the purpose ofthe execution ofthis Act, have powers to-
(a) require the production ofthe certificate ofregistration or any document kept in pursuance ofthis Act and to inspect, examine and make copy of any of them;
(b) to demand the owner, occupier, or other person having control of premises to give any information that is in that person's powers;
(c) to exercise any powers which may be necessary for carrying out the provisions ofthis Act.
PART VIII OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
28. Any person who-
(a) carries on business without being registered under this Act;
(b) provides false information at the time ofregistration;
(c) conducts business without observing other legislation or regulations governing such activity;
(d) carries on business at any place not specified in the certificate ofregistration;
(e) fails to surrender certificate of registration which has been suspended, revoked or cancelled to Registrar,
Powers of Inspe- ctors
Offences and Penalties
14 No. 14
Suspension, revocation etc to be published
Regula-
tions
Repeal
Cap. 208
Transi- tional provi- sions Cap 208
Business Activities Registration 2007
commits an offence and upon conviction shall be liable- (i) in case of a business with a turnover of not exceeding
twenty million shillings per annum, to a fine ofnot less than fifty thousand shillings but not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings; and
(ii) in case of a business with a turnover exceeding twenty million shillings per annum, to a fine ofnot less than two hundred thousand shillings but not exceeding five hundred thousand shillings.
29. Where the Registrar suspends, revokes or cancels a certificate of registration, the ChiefRegistrar shall publish in the Gazette such suspension, revocation or cancellation and shall inform the owner accordingly.
PART IX FINAL PROVISIONS
30.-{1) The Minister may make regulations for the better carrying out the provisions and purposes ofthis Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality ofsubsection (1), the Minister may make regulations:
(a) prescribing forms to be used for purposes ofthis Act;
(b) prescribing for the classification ofbusinesses;
(c) requiring the Registrar to submit returns to the ChiefRegistrar;
(d) providing for the issuance of a duplicate certificate of registration where the original is defaced, destroyed or lost;
(e) providing for the timeframe within which specific obligations shall be carried out;
(f) prescribing the fine to be imposed on any person or business found to be carrying on a business without a valid certificate ofregistration; or
(g) prescribing anything which, under the provisions ofthis Act, may be prescribed.
31. The Business Licensing Act, 1972 is hereby repealed.
32. Notwithstanding the repeal ofthe Business Licensing Act, licences issued and all exemptions granted thereunder, shall remain in force and effective until a date to be determined by the Minister whereupon such licences shall lapse and owners ofbusinesses shall be required to register such business in accordance with this Act.
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SCHEDULE
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES REGISTRATION ACT, 2007
CERTIFICATE OF BUSINESS REGISTRATION
(Made under section 14)
This is to certify that
is the holder of a Certificate of Business Registration issued under
The Business Registration Act, 2007
For and on behalf of Chief Registrar
Registrar,
....................................................... Business Registration centre
Dated this ................................... day of ......................... 200.........
Passed in the National Assembly on the 31 si January, 2007.
Clerk of the National Assembly