South Sudan government launches business survey project

September 30, 2010 (JUBA) — The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) has officially launched the sub-national Doing Business (DB) project, a vital initiative that seeks to survey the status of doing business in the semi-autonomous region.

The 2011 project, which is being supported by the Investment Ministry and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the directive of the Investment Climate Advisory Service of the World Bank Group, was launched on Tuesday at the World Bank premises in Juba.

Already successfully conducted in about 40 countries across the world, sub-national DB reports measure business regulations and their enforcement within a particular country or region. The reports provide data on the ease of doing business in selected areas, ranking of each location and reform recommendations that local governments can use to improve performance.

Since 2005, sub-national DB projects have reportedly benchmarked more than 300 locations in 41 countries, producing three city profiles with the forth one earmarked to be that of Juba, courtesy of the just-initiated South Sudan project.

While officiating at the launch, Oyay Deng Ajak, South Sudan’s Investment Minister lauded the team of DB experts, saying the survey will help in analyzing the business regulations required when one intends to begin a business, citing the issue of constructions permits, tax requirements, laws governing investors, credit acquisition procedures, employment policies, among others.

The Minister further stressed the importance of successfully implementing the DB project, saying it requires the commitment, support and above all active participation of both the government and private sectors at all levels.

“In order to produce a report of quality, the team need to produce a report of quality, the team needs to meet and interview local officials from the authorities in charge of the business regulations,” the Investment Minister advised.

He also lauded efforts being put by the International Finance Cooperation (IFC) of the World Bank Group in giving advisory services to the Southern government, assuring the tem of continued support and cooperation.

Catherine Masinde, a senior Private Sector Development Specialist told Sudan Tribune that the DB South Sudan project, which is currently in its second phase, seeks to stimulate reforms on development projects in the semi-autonomous region.

Asked about what challenges lie ahead of their task, Masinde cited capacity issues, inadequate skilled labor, lack of clear policies as well as too much public anxiety on results, as some of the anticipated bottle necks that lie ahead.

Also on the team of experts tasked with leading the South Sudan DB project are, Brice Richard, Jean Lubega-Kyazze and Pilar Sanchez-Bella.

(ST).