Sierra Leone Business Forum Support for Improving the Business Environment

1. Sierra Leone Business Forum Support for Improving the Business Environment

2. Supporting Admin Barriers Reforms Private Sector Development Private Sector Initiatives • 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 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 • 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 Sierra Leone Business Forum (SLBF) : Areas of engagement A structure for dialogue between private sector and government: • 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

3. How SLBF will support RABI reforms and PSD Steering Committee Coordinating Secretariat National Coordinator + 2 staff Working Groups Working Groups Group 1: Business Start-Up Group 2: Tax and Customs Group 3: Land, Locating and Planning Group 4: Investment &Export Promotion PSD Strategy Working Groups Issues Raised by Private Sector: Working Groups Technical Committees Technical Committees Technical Committee Technical Committee Technical Committee Technical Committee

4. SLBF Participants Steering committee Minister Trade/Industry, President CCISL DFID Representative Parliamentary Rep. Other Government and Private Sector Groups Coordinating secretariat Executive Director Economist & Researcher Admin Barr Coordinator PSD Strategy Coordinator Private Sector Ministry/Agency Directors Civil Society Working groups Technical Committee Expert Consultants Line Ministry/Agency Managers Directly Interested Private Sector

5. Board Membership Objective: Assure Broad Representation of Private Sector and Relevant Government Institutions Minister of Trade/ Industry Minister of Finance Legislative Committee Attorney General SLIEPA DFID SLIBA Lebanese Business Comm’ty SLAM Importers Assoc SLCCIA Bankers Assoc Indian Merchants Assoc Market Women’s Assoc

6. Business Start-Up Business Start-Up Land and Locating Land and Locating Operations (Tax and Customs) Operations (Tax and Customs) Investment Promotion and Export Agencies Investment Promotion and Export Agencies • New streamlined 4step process • Mandatory use of solicitor removed • Exchange control permission removed • Work & residence permits unified • Reducing costs of starting and doing business • Streamlining processes • Information storage and dissemination procedures • Publication of regulations and procedures • Information storage and dissemination procedures • Land titling procedures published • Titling system set up in Land Office • Establish framework for cadastre (begin pilot study) • Freetown planning policy and masterplan to be completed by Q2 2007 • Advance tax payment for new businesses no longer required • Streamlined customs processes and computerisation of customs underway • Information storage and dissemination procedures • Initiate study of effective tax burden • Establish HS2002 nomenclature system • Publication of tax and customs systems and procedures • Restructuring SLEDIC into 2 agencies • Legislative change to support implementation • Establish new organisation structures and procedures • Capacity-building/training • New SLIEPA legislation in process • Transition management and restructuring to commence Q3 2007 Removing Administrative Barriers to Investment Objectives Achievements

7. Policy Development Legal Reform Priority Programmes Business Culture • Align sectoral and national PSD objectives • Develop national policy document • Capacity strengthening for policy unit • Consultations • Approvals • 3-year Implementation Roadmap • 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 • National and sectoral initiatives for trade and investment promotion • Compliance with international conventions • Institutional reform, strengthening, capacity building • Investment promotion conferences, other outreach • 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 Supporting and Related Activities: FIAS/DFID/World Bank • informal sector survey • study of Diaspora investment trends • access to finance for SMEs 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 Other Private Sector Development Programmes PSD Strategy Programme: Ministry of Trade & Industry/ DFID • Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) • Intellectual Property Rights legislation

8. 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

9. 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