The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is preparing to table two new Bills with Parliament this year, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies said in reply to a Parliamentary question.

The contested Licensing of Businesses Bill, which was published for public comment early last year, was on the legislative programme for the current financial year.

The revised Bill was currently being finalised for approval by Cabinet for a final round of consultations, he noted.

The legislation was intended to ease the business licensing process and crack down on illicit business activities, but had, instead, attracted criticism from South African organisations for its inefficiencies, lack of clarity, potential criminalisation of legitimate businesses and potential extensive negative impact on businesses in the country.

However, the DTI said after the release of the initial draft Bill, public submissions were “carefully considered” and provincial consultation workshops and focused meetings with key stakeholders that had submitted comments had been completed.

Meanwhile, the Promotion and Protection of Investment Bill would be tabled in Parliament during the fourth quarter of 2014, after the conclusion of consultations with stakeholders within the National Economic Development and Labour Council.

“Following the conclusion of the consultations, the Bill should be ready for resubmission to Cabinet,” Davies stated.

A second iteration of the Bill was currently undergoing legal vetting after public comment for the draft Bill closed in January.

The Democratic Alliance said in a statement that it planned to fight the promulgation of the two Bills it believed would add to the red tape faced by South African business and hamper investment.

“We will propose comprehensive amendments to the problematic clauses in the Bills. In the meantime, I have written to Minister Davies to request the regulatory impact assessments for these Bills,” DA shadow Minister for Trade and Industry Geordin Hill-Lewis said.