Developing Guinea's Business Reform Agenda
In order to develop the country's business reform agenda, the government drew on experience from international experts and top reformers worldwide and in the region. In January 2012, the Minister of Industry and Small and Medium Enterprises led a delegation from Guinea comprised of public and private sector representatives to Mali to learn from experiences of the eight member states of the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and Rwanda, themed: "Sharing Knowledge to Improve the Business Climate."
"We are happy to have IFC's technical support for the improvement of investment climate in Guinea, which is a necessary condition for the general economic development of the country, and that of the private sector in particular," said Mrs Rahamatoulaye Bah, Minister of Industry and SMEs.
Guinea's Reform Priorities
Upon consultation with the private sector, top reformers and the World Bank Group's Investment Climate Department, the government of Guinea prioritized these areas for reform:
- Starting a Business
- Getting Electricity
- Dealing with Construction Permits
- Registering Property
The reform priorities are aimed at rebuilding the country and are a direct response to the strong political willingness to reform Guinea.
Results
- Starting a Business: One Stop Shop was created to facilitate business creation
- Dealing with Construction Permits: One Stop Shop for construction permits streamlines the process of issuing permits and reduces costs as a result of a decree passed that eliminates two variable portions (15% for each additional square meter above 300 m2 and 30% for each additional floor) of the construction permit fee - now only a fixed amount is paid no matter the surface of the construction.
- Getting Electricity: (1) Excavation permits are now directly obtained by the electricity company (Electricity de Guinee – EDG). (2) Bank guarantee will now be accepted as deposit, and not only in cash.
- Registering Property: A one stop shop for construction and property registration has been created to enhance transparency and streamline construction and property controls.
Facts and Figures
Starting a Business:
- Total number of businesses created from January to May 15th, 2012: 437
- Reduction in the number of days required to create a business from over 40 days to: an average of 3 days
Dealing with Construction Permits: Average number of days to obtain a permit is 32 days [from 287 days]
Getting Electricity: Procedures for the request for electricity connection and request for excavation permit are now conducted together. The client does not have to follow up with Public Works, saving time and reducing the number of points of contact to access electricity
Registering Property: Number of property transfers processed: 121 (January to May 2012)
Results
- Starting a Business: One Stop Shop was created to facilitate business creation
- Dealing with Construction Permits: One Stop Shop for construction permits streamlines the process of issuing permits and reduces costs as a result of a decree passed that eliminates two variable portions (15% for each additional square meter above 300 m2 and 30% for each additional floor) of the construction permit fee - now only a fixed amount is paid no matter the surface of the construction.
- Getting Electricity: (1) Excavation permits are now directly obtained by the electricity company (Electricity de Guinee – EDG). (2) Bank guarantee will now be accepted as deposit, and not only in cash.
- Registering Property: A one stop shop for construction and property registration has been created to enhance transparency and streamline construction and property controls.
Facts and Figures
Starting a Business:
- Total number of businesses created from January to May 15th, 2012: 437
- Reduction in the number of days required to create a business from over 40 days to: an average of 3 days
Dealing with Construction Permits: Average number of days to obtain a permit is 32 days [from 287 days]
Getting Electricity: Procedures for the request for electricity connection and request for excavation permit are now conducted together. The client does not have to follow up with Public Works, saving time and reducing the number of points of contact to access electricity
Registering Property: Number of property transfers processed: 121 (January to May 2012)
Results
- Starting a Business: One Stop Shop was created to facilitate business creation
- Dealing with Construction Permits: One Stop Shop for construction permits streamlines the process of issuing permits and reduces costs as a result of a decree passed that eliminates two variable portions (15% for each additional square meter above 300 m2 and 30% for each additional floor) of the construction permit fee - now only a fixed amount is paid no matter the surface of the construction.
- Getting Electricity: (1) Excavation permits are now directly obtained by the electricity company (Electricity de Guinee – EDG). (2) Bank guarantee will now be accepted as deposit, and not only in cash.
- Registering Property: A one stop shop for construction and property registration has been created to enhance transparency and streamline construction and property controls.
Facts and Figures
Starting a Business:
- Total number of businesses created from January to May 15th, 2012: 437
- Reduction in the number of days required to create a business from over 40 days to: an average of 3 days
Dealing with Construction Permits: Average number of days to obtain a permit is 32 days [from 287 days]
Getting Electricity: Procedures for the request for electricity connection and request for excavation permit are now conducted together. The client does not have to follow up with Public Works, saving time and reducing the number of points of contact to access electricity
Registering Property: Number of property transfers processed: 121 (January to May 2012)
