SUPPORTING A BETTER LOCAL BUSINESS & INVESTMENT CLIMATE Case study of Uganda: Streamlining business regulation procedures with local government
Presentation outline Background Pre-licensing reform challenges Reform concept Main actors Reform achievements Lessons learnt
Background GoU RBP Programmed mandated to demonstrate policy reforms Trade licensing reforms piloted in 4 LGs Successful implementation leading to a win-win outcome for the Local Governments & Business Community
Pre-reform challenges 3 competing objectives: regulation, registration and revenue System slow and costly to businesses No clear link between fee payment and services delivery Limited revenue for LGs and high administrative costs
Reform Concept De-link registration from regulation & revenue collection Streamline & simplify the licensing process Universal business enumeration & business register computerization PPP & improved networking
Achievements A win-win for businesses and LGs Recommended by MoLG as revenue enhancement best practice to all LGs Cited in 2005 Word Dev. Report Awarded by NEPARD/CBC as a best practice in smart regulation Being rolled out in additional LGs with WB & MoLG support
Lessons Learnt Leadership commitment critical Need for continuous engagement between LGs and businesses Internal communications Staff motivation Human & physical infrastructure