Section One: Border Ministries and Authorities
Lesotho National Development Corporation
The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) is the main parastatal of the Government of Lesotho charged with the implementation of the country’s industrial development policies. The role of the Corporation is to promote Lesotho as an attractive investment location for both foreign and indigenous investors.
LNDC is wholly owned by the Government of Lesotho and falls under the Ministry of Trade and Industry which is responsible for providing overall policy direction on industrialization.
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Ministry of Trade and Industry
In 2015, the mandate of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing (MTI) was changed such that the functions of marketing and cooperatives were removed from the Ministry of Trade and Industry; consequently, the Ministry once again assumed the name the – “Ministry of Trade and Industry”.
The Ministry has four departments that have different trade-related functions and the Department of Administration which comprises of support divisions namely Human Resources, Accounts, Procurement, Internal Audit, Communication, Information Technology, Administration, Legal and Planning. The departments are: Department of Trade; Department of Industry; Department of Standards and Quality Assurance and One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is mandated to carry out government responsibility in trade and trade-related matters.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry is present in all ten districts of Lesotho with an additional office in Maputsoe. The services provided in the district offices include, provision of application forms for traders licences, issuance and renewal of traders licenses. Further consumer complaints can be reported at these offices. More services, i.e. incorporation and registration of companies, issuance and renewal of manufacturing licences, import permits, export visas etc. are provided at the Headquarters in the capital Maseru.
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One-Stop Business Facilitation Center (OBFC)
On the 12th of February 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by all the agencies that have deployed personnel to the OBFC. The said purpose of the MOU is to facilitate cooperation between the agencies on the operation of the OBFC. It establishes the position of the Director of the OBFC who is to be the overall head of the OBFC working with team leaders from each deploying agency.
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Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA)
The Lesotho Revenue Authority is the agency mandated with the collection of legitimate taxes; direct and indirect taxes of people, goods and services and for public protection.
At the borders through its Customs department, the LRA controls importation and exportation of goods in and out of Lesotho;protecting the borders from importation of illicit or dangerous goods and managing cross border trade by collecting the lawful trade data.
For all commercial goods entering or leaving the territory of Lesotho a declaration is required.LRA is responsible for the issuance and assessment of declaration documents, and the receipt of appropriate payment.
LRA is also responsible for the issuance of tax exemption certificates and deferred payment systems at the borders. In some of the smaller border posts such as Sani, LRA so fulfils the role of other border agencies. Top
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Ministry of Mining
The Ministry of Mining has been established to maintain and preserve Lesotho’s mineral resources and create an environment in which the mineral resources contribute to the country’s socio-economic development. The Ministry provides policy direction for the mining sector and also plays a regulatory role for the exploration and exploitation of such minerals. The Ministry issues permits for importation and exportation of mineral resources. Top
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Ministry of Agriculture, Marketing and Food Security
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is responsible for the control of the importation and exportation of agricultural products to/from Lesotho.
When importing or exporting goods, foodstuffs or agricultural products you may be required to obtain the relevant permit and/or Sanitary/Phytosanitary certificates from the following departments: Top
- Department of Agriculture Research
- Department of Livestock
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Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture
The Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture is an effective and dynamic regulatory authority, delivering a unified approach to economic growth through responsible tourism development, conservation and promotion of Lesotho's environmental and cultural assets.
The Ministry is the custodian of the environmental and cultural heritage on behalf of all Basotho through facilitating responsible and sustainable tourism development in partnership with the private sector and communities, together with effective marketing. MTEC strives to enhance the attractiveness of Lesotho so that increased numbers of visitors may experience the Basotho warmth of hospitality, to the benefit of the economy through its Lesotho Tourism Development Cooperation (LTDC).
The Ministry upholds, with integrity, its duty of care towards all internal and external stakeholders and resources in the successful performance and delivery of its mandate.
Follow this link for more information on LTDC and The State Library
The Ministry also regulates the importation and exportation of alcoholic beverages, as well as the endangered species and is responsible for the issue of permits to enable the import/export of such commodities. Top
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Ministry of Transport
The Ministry is responsible for the formulation and monitoring of the efficient and well-developed transport and construction industries that promote investment and reduce poverty in Lesotho.
Department of Traffic and Transport
Through its department of Traffic and Transport, the Ministry is a stakeholder in the import and export business, whereby the department issues permits for Southern African Regional Police Chief Co-Operation (SARPCCO) Clearance, deregistration of motor vehicles aimed for export to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
Ministry of Public Works
Department of Civil Aviation
The Mission of the Department of Civil Aviation is to ensure safety of civil air navigation, to develop and operate a national civil air infrastructure and services, upholding in all activities, sound practices and international standards applicable to civil aviation. Click here for details. Top
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The Ministry of Health is charged with the responsibility of policy formulation and strategies for the delivery of health services, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that every Mosotho is afforded access to good health and acceptable quality and productive life and to reduce morbidity and thus contribute to attainment of improved health status among the people of Lesotho.
The Ministry is also responsible for the screening of travellers from disease endemic and or outbreak stricken countries: control of importation and exportation of foodstuffs,medicines/chemicals,human remains and hazardous waste. The Mission of the Ministry is to facilitate establishment of a system that delivers quality health care efficiently and equitably for all, through the following principles:
- Universal coverage: ensuring optimal access to basic healthcare services to all members of society including those in hard to reach places.
In so doing the equity of the MInistry is to ensure that access to care is based on need rather than ability to afford it. The goal of the Health sector, which contributes to the vision of the country's development, is to have a healthy population, living quality and productive life by 2020. Top
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The Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to rendering effective and efficient service in the maintenance of National Registry,Issuance of Identity Cards and Travel Documents, Registration and Marking of Livestock,Regulation of Private Security Companies and Movement of people into and out of Lesotho therein. It manages residence of non-citizens within the country. It is responsible for the issue of temporary and long term residency and visas.
Through its Immigration Department, the Ministry regulates the entry, the stay and the departure of people at Lesotho.Top
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Ministry of Police and Public Safety
The Ministry of Police is mandated with maintenance of law and order, preservation of peace, protection of life and property, detection and prevention of crime, Apprehension of offenders and bring them to justice and perform any other associated purposes. To facilitate trade and travel the LMPS issues permits for SARPCO Clearance as well as permits for imports and exports of firearms and ammunition. Top
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Ministry of Small Business Development, and Cooperatives
The Ministry is responsible for the development and implementation of the policies that promote and facilitate establishment, operations and growth of MSMEs and Cooperatives with a view to contributing to employment creation, economic growth and poverty reduction. Top
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Section Two: Other Important Ministries
Ministry of Finance
The Ministry's core mandate is management, supervision and control of fiscal and financial affairs of the Lesotho government including custody,maintenance and care of government assets. The ministry among others aims at providing timely and accurate financial information,guidance and advice in financial and fiscal policy,efficient delivery of services and giving support to parastatal organizations. Top
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations
The mandate of the Ministry is to establish,promote and maintain good relations between Lesotho and the International Community for the advancement and enhancement of Lesotho's prosperity and for the protection of her sovereignty,independence and territorial integrity.Top
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Ministry of Law and Justice
The Ministry of Law Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights is mandated to provide efficient legal services with a view to uphold the rule of law, promote a legally compliant nation and inculcate a culture of respect for human rights. Among other activities, the MInistry is responsible for protection of property rights. Top
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Ministry of Labour and Employment
The Ministry has been established with the purpose of ensuring that the country adheres to International Labour Standards by promoting and facilitating employment opportunities, skills development required by labour markets, sound labour relations management, tribalism, social dialogue, social justice, healthy and safe working conditions, and accessible and timely dispute resolution for all stakeholders. Top
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Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology
The Ministry aims at providing affordable, sustainable, accessible and reliable communications services and be a provider as well as a reservoir of technological know how through research and development, coordination of innovatio, to accelerate ecenomic growth and improve quality of life. Top
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The Ministry of Defence and National Security upholds the Vision that by the year 2020 Lesotho shall be a stable democracy, a united and prosperous nation at peace with itself and its neighbours. Top
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