World Bank to launch 2009 Doing Business Report

GASABO - The World Bank is to release the Doing Business 2009 report today. The report that measures business regulations and their enforcement across 178 countries is to be broadcast live from Washington DC. Francis Gatare, the Director General of Rwanda Investment and Export Agency (Riepa), said Rwandans, Nigerians, Liberians and South Africans will have the opportunity to participate during the launching via video conferencing. He was briefing senior editors at his office in Kimihurura yesterday. Last year, the report ranked Rwanda the 150th overall among the countries surveyed. But the Doing Business unit at Riepa is pushing to have a two digit position. Some of the indicators used in ranking are; difficulties and ease of starting business in a country, licencing and employing workers. The reports also considers registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing business. The deputy Director General of Riepa,Clare Akamazi, called for the World Bank increase the scope of indicators. She suggested that the level of bribery in a country should be surveyed, the security of property as well people and the level of women entrepreneurs. ReformsTo improve Rwanda’s doing business ranking, government abolished the 2.25 percent mortgage fee and instead introduced a flat fee of Frw200. Government also abolished the 6 percent property registration replacing it with Frw20,000. Frank Twagira, an economist and head of the Doing Business unit hoped that the reforms Rwanda undertook may improve the ranking. He said it now takes a very short time to get connected for water, telephone and electricity to services. Ends

National

World Bank to launch 2009 Doing Business Report