Transcript Ethiopia Private Sector Development Conference 8th – 9th

Sudan Private Sector Forum
A Forum to support Sudanese
Public – Private Sector Dialogue
Prepared by
Amin Sid Ahmed- World Bank, PSD Advisor
Presented by
Maisoun A. Badawi
Private Sector Development Coordinator
World Bank- Khartoum
Slide 1
Background
PSD-Sudan project identification mission has identified key areas of
immediate concern to the private sector; business entry, land
acquisition, customs administration, and tax and tax administration.
The identification project areas of focus aimed at several issues
which where endorsed by the Ministry of Finance are namely:
– identifying key Administrative constrains to investment in the
Sudan, at the federal and the state level and therefore;
– Recommend a reform agenda aimed to reduce the burden of
doing business on investors;
– Help design solutions and practical action plan for reform;
– Help build the capacity of the key implementing institution,
including a policy dialogue framework for building consensus
around the reform agenda.
Slide 2
PPD Forum Context & Particulars
WB consultations in mid 2005-2006 involved a cross section of
government’s ministers/ Officials, and from the Private Sector, lawyers,
bankers, businesswomen/men, and employers federations.
Consultations from both ends,
– Expressed the need for closer consultations between the two sectors
in areas of policy formulation and reform.
– Welcomed the idea of establishing a Forum for Public Private sector
dialogue on issues that impact Sudan’s Investment Climate.
– The Forum role was collectively identified as not a one or two
meeting process, rather as continuous consultation process over
various policy issues that may impact Sudan Investment Climate.
– The focus of the forum should be on an amicable resolution of
outstanding issues with specific recommendations that will allow P.S.
to operate efficiently and for the Government to review its regulation
that have direct impact on the country’s economic activity.
Slide 3
Forum Particulars
-
The Forum is not a dialogue for complaints or political issues rather
its aimed at building constructive, problem-solving process based on
partnership and understanding of the complementary role of each
member concerned about Economic Growth and sustainability.
-
All issues presented to the Government have to be substantiated
and should be accompanied by specific recommendations.
-
The role of World Bank Group is to catalyze the establishment of the
Forum, which should then become self sustaining. In the initial
phases, the Bank can serve as a facilitator and “honest broker”
providing impartial advise and analytical support maximizing lessons
learned from other Forums.
- Government is to inform/ provide periodic updates on economic
developments, bilateral economic cooperation agreements to P.S.
Slide 4
Proposed PPD Forum Structure
Seven Working Group suggested.
Each Group will be chaired by a Minister from the line Ministry and a
recognized leader of the private sector in that business area with the
consent of peers.
The seven working groups may meet monthly or bimonthly basis.
The forum is headed at the top by Co-chairs from Presidency of the
Republic and Chairperson of Economic Sector Ministerial
Committee on one side and Private Sector Representative from the
other side.
Private Sector should develop Agenda and present position papers
on outstanding issues for discussion.
Meeting headed by the Presidency of the Republic is held every six
months.
Issues that can not be resolved at working party level would be
raised to bi-annual Private Sector Forum.
Slide 5
Proposed Structure of Partnership
FORUM
Public-Private Sector Forum
Chairperson: Presidency of the Republic
Chairperson, Economic Sector, Ministerial Committee
Co-Chairs: President, Businessmen & Employers Federation
Working Groups
Agriculture &
Livestock
Co-Chair:
Minister of Agriculture
Co-Chair: PS
Law and Governance
Co-Chair:
Co-Chair: PS
Banking & Finance
Co-Chair:
Gov Central Bank of
Sudan
Co-Chair: PS
Construction,
Transport & Utilities
Co-Chair:
Minister of Transport,
Roads & Bridges
Min. Urban Planning,
Khartoum State
Co-Chair: PS
Manufacturing/ Industry
Co-Chair:
Minister of Industry
Co-Chair: PS
Commerce and Trade
Co-Chair:
Minister of International
Trade
Co-Chair: PS
Small & Medium Size Ent.
Co-Chair:
Minister of Investment
Co-Chair: PS
Private Sector Working Groups
Slide 6
Proposed General Agenda
Some of the proposed items agenda reflects outcome of extensive meetings
with Private Businessmen in the various associations/ business chambers
employers Federation included:
Legislative Reform of commercial legal codes
Tax/Fees Issues
Land acquisition and leasing opportunities
Infrastructural cost of utilities
Regional Comparative Operating Costs for manufacturing
Access to Finance/Microfinance.
Capital Markets.
Slide 7
Challenges
Public-Private Dialogue requires the continuous and
consistent support of both the Government and the
Private Sector.
Private sector remains disorganized, since
historically negotiations are done on individual basis
rather than on a collective basis.
Both sectors- Private and Public need to work on
building its capacities to establish the appropriate
mechanisms to sustain such dialogue.
Government bureaucracy could cause delays on
follow ups.
Slide 8
Status of Partnership & Next Steps
Finalized the approval of the forum concept by the
cabinet, however, the bureaucratic process has
been delaying the launching phase of the forum.
Working Group Co-Chairs to be nominated
– Members to be nominated – cross-Ministerial selection from
government, private sector from different size and type of firm
Agenda for each working group to be drafted by
private sector and circulated to Government
– Private sector develops proposed solution to each agenda
item, reflecting what both parties (public and private sectors)
can do to resolve problem.
Slide 9