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