PRIVATE SECTOR: Report on business barriers out next month

A report on business barriers in Rwanda is expected to be released next month. Emmanuel Hategeka, the Private Sector Federation (PSF) Permanent Secretary, said, “The report is being finalised by a contracted firm.” The report is compiled by the South African firm, Strategic Business Partnerships for Growth in Africa (SBP). This comes after the completion of a study on compliance costs and administrative barriers affecting business in Rwanda. The report is dubbed, ‘Cutting the costs of red tape for business in Rwanda’. However it is believed that before its launch, the senate will discuss the report findings in order to make necessary adjustment in doing business policy making. According to the PSF, this is because government has made a firm commitment to create a regulatory framework that supports doing business and sustaining economic growth. Hategeka said that the report is an eye opener that will help to improve business advocacy in the country. “It will provide the government and private sector with a clear understanding of business’ experience of the regulatory environment,” he said. The study that begun January, 2008, was funded by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ). The study looked closely at the most costly and troublesome regulations affecting firms in Rwanda. After the study, an abstract report was presented to stakeholders for their input, during a validation meeting in October at Prime Holdings. According to the SBP team the report will also highlight difficult administrative procedures. The team also revealed that the details will provide business and government information on the effects of regulations on business on the economy. PSF officials said that the study is necessary since even the most socially required regulations can create unnecessary costs and may need to be revised or simplified. It covers 400 businesses in the informal sector, 60 percent of which are within Kigali while the rest (40 percent) are from the country’s four provinces. The businesses being examined range from very large companies to small enterprises. Ends

News

PRIVATE SECTOR: Report on business barriers out next month