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Support for Improving the Business Environment in Sierra Leone

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INTRODUCING THE SIERRA LEONE BUSINESS FORUM

What is the SLBF?A public private dialogue mechanism that enables stakeholders to participate in the private sector

development process.

Who are we?We are a coalition of private sector interest groups spanning the formal and informal business sectors

in Sierra Leone.

SLBF is a platform for:• Consensus building• Advocacy and consultation on Private Sector Development• Supporting advocacy for reform within government• Supporting private sector’s ability to engage with government on economic policy developments• Outreach, public awareness and communication

Goals• Support reform efforts that positively impact private sector growth

- (Reducing Administrative Barriers to Investment (RABI))• Support and inform Private Sector Development strategy formulation• Encourage dialogue between private sector groups and assist in solving common business

problems• Monitor progress across all reform activities and evaluate and report on impacts to business

community and beyond

Make biznes go sweet

“Sweet Salone” – When biznes sweet, Salone go sweet.

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SIERRA LEONE’S INVESTMENT CLIMATE

According to the World Bank/IFC “Doing Business Report” (DBI)(Compares 178 countries and ranks their ease of doing business)

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Areas of improvement

Indicators 2005 2006 2007 2008

Ease of Doing Business

163 168 168 160

Dealing with Licenses

156 156 156 151

Employing Workers

172 172 171 169

Getting Credit

117 117 117 115

Protecting Investors

96 99 99 98

Enforcing Contracts

166 166 166 140

Areas of decline

Indicators 2005 2006 2007 2008

Starting a Business

72 80 80 89

Registering Property

168 168 168 172

Paying Taxes

136 138 138 145

Trading Across Borders

122 124 124 130

Closing a Business

134 140 140 141

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DBI 2008: SIERRA LEONE NOT BEST IN CLASS

Best countries in Sub-Saharan Africa by category:

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Indicators Post-Conflict ECOWAS SSA Sierra Leone

Selected for Policy

Ease of Doing Business Ethiopia102

Ghana87

Mauritius27

160 Mauritius

Starting a Business Rwanda63

Nigeria80

Mauritius8

89 Mauritius

Dealing with Licenses Ethiopia58

Senegal64

Kenya9

151 Kenya

Employing Workers Eritrea58

Gambia29

Uganda11

169 Uganda

Registering Property Sudan32

Ghana26

Ghana26

172 Ghana

Getting Credit Angola84

Cape Verde68

Kenya13

115 Kenya

Protecting Investors Mozambique33

Ghana33

South Africa9

98 South Africa

Paying Taxes Ethiopia29

Ghana75

Botswana14

145 Botswana

Trading Across Borders Liberia98

Ghana61

Mauritius17

130 Mauritius

Enforcing Contracts Rwanda44

Ghana51

Namibia33

140 Namibia

Closing a Business Uganda48

Cote D’ivoire71

Botswana26

141 Botswana

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KEY STAKEHOLDERS

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Private Sector

• Formal Sector Trade and Professional Associations

– SLCCIA; SLAM; SLIBA; Importers Assoc.; Employers Federation; Bankers Assoc.

– Insurance Assoc.; Institute of Accountants; Bar Assoc.

– Mineral Exporters; Timber Exporters, Fisheries and Tourism

– Transport Owners, Freight Handlers, Media Owners, Farmers

• Informal Sector

–National Traders Union: Pretty Traders, Bike Riders, Motor Drivers, Boat Owners, Farmers, Mine Workers, Sweissy Jewellers, Dollar Hawkers

Ethnic Business Communities

–Fula, Lebanese, Indian, Nigerian, Djula, Chinese

GOSL

• Ministries

–Trade and Industry, Finance, Justice, MFA, MODEP, MAFF, MLHE, MoTC, MTC, MOM, MYS

Agencies/CommissionsOARG, NCP, NASSIT,

NRA, ICRB, Central Bank, Decentralization, JSDP, Law Reform, Security Services

Judiciary Parliament Provincial, District, Chiefdom

and Local Administrations

Dev. Partners

• DFID, IFC, World Bank

• GTZ, EU, UNIDO,USAID, Irish Aid, JICA, China

• UNDP/UNIOSIL

• ADB, IDB

• AU, Commonwealth Secretariat

• NEPAD

• ECOWAS MRU

• NDI, British Council

Other

• Youth Organizations

• 50:50 and Women’s Forum

• IPAM and other educational establishments

• Independent Media Commission

• Human Rights Commission

• SL Diaspora Organizations

• NEC and NCD, CGG

• WAMU, UMEOA

• African Business Roundtable

• Sierra Investment Fund

• West Africa Business Forum

• International Media

• Global Reports and Indices

• Local and International NGOs

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PARTICIPANTS

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Policy Advisory Committee

Coordinating Secretariat

•Minister Trade/Industry, President SLCCIA

•DFID/IFC Reps.•Parliamentary Rep.•Other Government and Private Sector Groups

•Executive Director•Economist & Researcher

•Admin Barr Coordinator•PSD Strategy Coordinator

Technical Committee

•Expert Consultants•Line Ministry/Agency Managers•Directly Interested Private Sector

Working Groups

•Private Sector•Ministry/Agency Directors

•Civil Society

KEY

STAKEHOLDERS

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KEY ARES OF ENGAGEMENT

Reducing Administrative Barriers• Business Start Up and Registration• SME Tax Policy

Tax Reform and Modernisation

Financial Sector Reform• Enhancing the private credit environment• Financial Product Deepening• Financial services and infrastructure

Land Issues• Title and registration• Dispute resolution

Legal Reforms• Supporting enactment of legislation that helps to achieve all the above• Improved access to justice on commercial matters

Make biznes go sweet

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“Sweet Salone” - When biznes sweet, Salone go sweet.

For more information please contact us via phone on 022 290089/290116, email info@slbizforum.org or visit our offices at 2nd Floor, Bishop Building, 13 Lamina Sankoh St, Freetown