1. Taking a Business Approach
Sustainable Land Administration
Taking a Business Approach
By Peter Dale Honorary President of FIG

2. What has changed since 1996?
Less Public Sector monopoly, with more Public / Private Partnerships
2. Less focus on System Building, with more focus on System Maintenance
Decreasing lifespan of technology
A cultural shift towards commercialism
Greater concern for sustainability

3. Why Adopt a Business Approach?
Raise money for the maintenance and expansion of services
Increase economic efficiency through accountability and cost concern
Reduce wastage (human and material)
Manage user demands

4. Why? Contd. Address equity by charging commercial users
Ensure competitive neutrality
Conform to international agreements
e.g. IPR

5. Why Not? Land Administration is a public good
It provides services that the private sector could not fund
Inter-agency Billing adds to overhead costs
4. Government agencies should co-operate not compete

6. Why Not? Contd. Some business activities could be illegal
The weak need to be protected
Benefits already flow from tax collection
8. A commercial approach can impede market development

7. Maintenance is another.
The Bottom Line
Building is one thing.
Maintenance is another.
How do you fund
Technology Refresh?

8. The Options There is NO cost recovery There is MARGINAL cost recovery
There is PARTIAL or FULL cost recovery
There is a PROFIT

9. Potential Conflicts
Joined-up Government may be jeopardised if one agency’s business plan is in conflict with another.
There is need for consistency especially between land administration agencies
There is need to conform to EU Directives
Are Land Book and Cadastral Data public sector documents?

10. The Last Word
The important thing to recognise is that the adoption of a business approach does not necessarily mean full cost recovery. The latter is a political decision.
The objective should be to create mechanisms that improve efficiency and ensure the long-term sustainability of the service provided.