2007 03 22 slbf overview sierra leone business forum support for improving the business environment

2007 03 22 SLBF Overview

Sierra Leone Business ForumSupport for Improving the Business Environment


Sierra Leone Business Forum (SLBF) : Areas of engagement

Supporting Admin Barriers Reforms

• Monitoring progress of reforms against targets (MTI M&E framework)

• Providing technical input on private sector priorities

• Validating and legitimising collective private sector interests and priorities

• Maintaining visibility of key issues

• Advocacy for continuing the reform agenda

• Supporting communications and public awareness of reform issues and progress

Private Sector Development

• Private sector advocacy on sectoral priorities• Consultation on sectoral policies• Monitoring progress of reforms against targets (MTI M&E framework)• Coordination with SLIEPA on export development and investment promotion priorities

Private Sector Initiatives

• Advocacy for private sector priorities (e.g. access to finance)

• Promoting visibility of small-scale entrepreneurs and their needs

• .. Others to be determined by SLBF and its members

SLBF is the private sector’s and Gov‘t’s platform for:

•Outreach, public awareness and communication

• Advocacy and consultation

• Supporting private sector’s ability to engage with government on economic policy developments

• Supporting advocacy for reform within government

A structure for dialogue between private sector and government:


How SLBF will support RABI reforms and PSD

Coordinating Secretariat

National Coordinator+ 2 staff

Group 3:Land, Locating and Planning

Group 2:Tax and Customs

Group 1:Business Start-Up

Technical Committee

Technical Committee

Technical Committee

Technical Committee

Steering Committee

PSD Strategy Working Groups

Issues Raised by Private Sector:

Working Groups

Technical Committees

Technical Committees

Working Groups

Group 4:Investment

&Export Promotion

Working Groups


SLBF Participants

Steering committee

Coordinating secretariat

Minister Trade/Industry, President CCISLDFID RepresentativeParliamentary Rep.Other Government and Private Sector Groups

Executive DirectorEconomist & ResearcherAdmin Barr CoordinatorPSD Strategy Coordinator

Technical Committee

Expert ConsultantsLine Ministry/Agency ManagersDirectly Interested Private Sector

Working groups

Private SectorMinistry/Agency DirectorsCivil Society


Minister of Finance

Minister of Trade/

IndustryAttorney General

SLIEPA

SLCCIA SLAM

SLIBA

Importers Assoc

Indian Merchants

Assoc

Lebanese Business Comm’ty

DFID

Market Women’s

Assoc

Objective: Assure Broad Representation of Private Sector and Relevant Government Institutions

Legislative Committee

Board Membership

BankersAssoc


Removing Administrative Barriers to Investment

Business Start-Up

• Reducing costs of starting and doing business• Streamlining processes• Information storage and dissemination procedures• Publication of regulations and procedures

Land and Locating

• Information storage and dissemination procedures• Land titling procedures published• Titling system set up in Land Office• Establish framework for cadastre (begin pilot study)

Investment Promotion and Export Agencies

• Restructuring SLEDIC into 2 agencies• Legislative change to support implementation• Establish new organisation structures and procedures• Capacity-building/training

Operations (Tax and Customs)

• Information storage and dissemination procedures• Initiate study of effective tax burden• Establish HS2002 nomenclature system• Publication of tax and customs systems and procedures

Objectives

Achievements

Business Start-Up

• New streamlined 4step process • Mandatory use of solicitor removed• Exchange control permission removed• Work & residence permits unified

Land and Locating

• Freetown planning policy and masterplan to be completed by Q2 2007

Investment Promotion and Export Agencies

• New SLIEPA legislation in process• Transition management and restructuring to commence Q3 2007

Operations (Tax and Customs)

• Advance tax payment for new businesses no longer required• Streamlined customs processes and computerisation of customs underway


Other Private Sector Development Programmes

Policy Development

•Align sectoral and national PSD objectives• Develop national policy document•Capacity strengthening for policy unit• Consultations• Approvals• 3-year Implementation Roadmap

Legal Reform

•Define legislation needs to support policy• Detailed audit of existing commercial laws• Programme of revision and creation of new laws•Establish commercial courts• Support to ongoing commercial law reforms

Priority Programmes

• National and sectoral initiatives for trade and investment promotion• Compliance with international conventions• Institutional reform, strengthening, capacity building• Investment promotion conferences, other outreach

Business Culture

• Set up consultation forums with private sector groups• Capacity building and training(government and private sector bodies)• Communications and public awareness• CSR promotion• Diaspora engagement• MTI website

• informal sector survey• study of Diaspora investment trends• access to finance for SMEs

Supporting and Related Activities: FIAS/DFID/World Bank

PSD Strategy Programme: Ministry of Trade & Industry/ DFID

Support to National Commission for Privatisation: NCP/DFID

• 2 year assistance to NCP Secretariat – advisors in power, transport, ports, water, financial services, commercial sectors. Also communications, regulation and legal support

• Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS)• Intellectual Property Rights legislation


Some Key Private Sector Priorities for Consideration*

• Policy Issues – Dialogues with GOSL and Development Partners

– Legislative and Regulatory Reforms

– Financial Sector Reforms and Capital Markets Development

• Shared Responsibilities

– Informing the Private Sector Strategy

– Holding ourselves and each other accountable

– Adapting the business culture

• Business Issues) – Dialogues Between Each Other

– Access to Capital (Debt and Equity investments)

– Operational Risks

– Talent Development and Training

– Dispute Resolution

– Value chain linkages

* Validation required


Roll-out Strategy - A phased roll out, ramping up the visibility and impact over time

• March 22nd 2007 – Inaugural Steering Committee meeting

– Familiarization, Commitment and Engagement

• April 12th 2007 – 2nd Steering Committee and Informal Gathering

– Update on Admin Barriers and other reform initiatives

– Working groups development

– Course setting

– M & E Frameworks

• May 24th 2007 – Formal launch

– Press event

– Communicate progress to date and high priority areas for the future

• August 15th 2007 Q3 Steering Committee

– Strategy Assessment and Execution Planning

• September 2007- New Administration Engagement and Public Communications

2007 03 22 slbf overview sierra leone business forum support for improving the business environment

Documents