This series, Best Practices for the Business Environment, represents one of many knowledge management components of the BizCLIR project. The goal of the series is to highlight the known best practices, case studies, lessons learned, and in some cases worst practices, so that the lessons can benefit other practitioners in the field. If you have best practices that you would like to highlight in this series, please contact us.
Issue #01 - Increasing Customs Efficiency: Lessons from Jordan
Jordan took sweeping steps to improve its ability to trade across borders, not only by decreasing the average number of days needed to export and import goods, but also by launching programs that increased the transparency of government programs and regulations. Public awareness of these programs has helped businesses engage in international trade. These programs have made Jordan more competitive in the global marketplace and place it as a leader in customs reform. Read More
Issue #02 - New Leadership Leads Customs Reform: Lessons from Egypt
Responding to increasing public discontent, the president of Egypt appointed a young cabinet to revisit the need for reform. Relying on surveys and strategic plans prepared for the prior administration, the newly appointed economic team was able to implement both 'quick wins' and longer-term initiatives. While additional reforms are warranted, the country's cross-border trade processes have improved substantially. Additionally, while the rate of annual GDP growth hovered around 2.5 percent between 2002 and 2003, the rate in 2005 was around 5.7 percent.Read More
Issue #03 - Comprehensive Land Registration Reform: Lessons from Georgia
Following the Rose Revolution, which provided the framework to implement political changes not previously possible, the new Georgian government implemented much-needed reforms to the land registration process through the establishment of a self-financing, streamlined system to provide secured and stable land property rights. These institutional changes, coupled with property-related tax reforms, resulted in the elimination of corruption and, in turn, a reduction in the overall real cost and time required to register real property in Georgia. Read More
Issue #04 - Reengineering the Registration Process: Lessons from El Salvador
With strong executive support and local ownership, El Salvador slashed the days to Start a Business by more than 75 percent (89 days) over a period of three years. The mechanisms for this enhancement were ISO certification, establishing a one-stop window, and reducing other unnecessary requirements. El Salvador stands as an example that significant reforms need not require significant costs.Read More
Issue #05 - Property Registration Reform: Lessons from Honduras
One of the notable success areas for Honduran governmental reform efforts is the modernization of the property registration system. Although only partially complete, the reforms have already paid dividends. Honduras stands as an example of how strong executive leadership, effective collaboration with the private sector, tangible donor coordination, and careful selection of agency management can lead to early tangible results.Read More
Issue #06 - Reforming the Enterprise Law in a Culture of Gradualism: Lessons from Vietnam
To meet the economic growth goals of the country, Vietnam realized it had to embrace the reality of globalization. By leveraging outside experts and encouraging an active public-private dialogue, the Unified Enterprise Law was drafted and enacted. The law has helped to level the playing field for domestic and foreign investors. As well, the process provides many lessons for future legal reform.Read More
Issue #07 - Development of Private Credit Bureaus: Lessons from Romania
The explosion of retail credit in Romania during 2000-2004 caused an urgent need for greater capacity and specificity in credit reporting. In response to this demand, in a period of less that six months, government bodies, donor institutions, membership associations, and banks worked together to assemble a private sector model to supply credit reporting data. The establishment and growth of the Biroul de Credit in Romania is a prime example of how apparent market need plus stakeholder recognition of that need can result in effective action. Read More
Issue #08 - Reforming Taxes in a Multi-Party Democracy: Lessons from Mexico
Until 2000, Mexico had largely been a single-party political system for over 70 years. In such an environment, the requirements of cooperation and consensus building in policy reform are limited. However, with the rise of Vicente Fox and the Partido Acción Nacional (PAN), a multi-party Mexico forced the reform minded government to learn the tools of legislating in a multi-party democracy. Several of these lessons were the need to incorporate broad, internationally focused, 'neutral' policy levers; remain flexible in the face of opposition; and realize that political parties are often driven purely by short-term political objectives. Keeping these and other lessons in mind, Mexico was able to drive tax reform.Read More
Issue #09 - Reforming Labor Law: Lessons from Colombia
President Uribe capitalized the on the combination of two factors - his high approval ratings upon taking office and a slumping economy - to get a controversial labor reform passed by Congress. Unemployment decreased, but opponents remain unconvinced that this was due to the reforms.Read More
Issue #10 - Modernizing Contract Enforcement: Lessons from Russia
In order to address the needs of its increasingly complex market economy, Russia created arbitrage courts and forums for alternative dispute resolution. It also attempted to improve the financial condition of the courts, reduce corruption, and ensure prompt enforcement. Read More
Issue #11 - Tax Simplification: Lessons from Georgia
Following the Rose Revolution, which provided the framework to implement political changes not previously possible, the new Georgian government implemented much needed reforms to the tax regime. Briefly, the new Tax Code reduced the number of taxes, simplified the tax procedures, and decreased bureaucratic barriers. Since the reform, the number of businesses registered has increased as has overall tax revenue.Read More
Issue #12 - Customs Automation and Process Reform: Lessons from Kenya
In an effort to improve its trading across borders and become more globally competitive, the government of Kenya has undertaken a series of administrative reforms to its trade processes. Though not fully implemented, these reforms have already achieved some positive changes, demonstrated by Kenya's Doing Business rank improving. It is hoped that with increased stakeholder involvement the full implementation of these reforms will further competitiveness in Kenya. Read More
Issue #13 - Reducing the Time to Start a Business: Lessons from Serbia
Persuaded by numerous donor-sponsored assessments highly critical of existing procedures, the Serbian government undertook radical reforms of its business registry systems. The reforms, which were driven by local experts with financial and technical assistance from donor agencies, included a new legislative framework and the establishment of a new business registration agency (SBRA). As a result of the efforts, the time necessary for starting a business has been significantly reduced, and Serbia?s Doing Business ranking in this area makes it the second-highest ranked among nine Southeast European countries.Read More
Issue #14 - Consolidating Licensing Law: Lessons from Armenia
In response to a decrease in grants and foreign investment in the construction sector, Armenia undertook to reform the licensing and permits processes that were viewed as a hindrance to business. The reform, undertaken with little donor assistance or funding, is credited with a significant increase in the number of licensing and permits awarded, as well as an improvement in the Doing Business rankings.Read More
Issue #15 - Speeding up the Bankruptcy Process: Lessons from Romania
Romania capitalized on widespread support for EU accession to overhaul its bankruptcy law. The reform included creating a Best Practices Manual, an online insolvency notification bulletin, and a fund to compensate insolvency practitioners when clients have insufficient funds for payment. Read More
Issue #17 - Overhauling Contract Enforcement: Lessons from Rwanda
Rwanda's sweeping reforms in the area of contract enforcement went beyond new legislation to include new institutions and significant training and outreach activities. Rwanda's experience demonstrates how a country with a civil law tradition can move toward a common law system.Read More
Issue #18 - Securing Property Rights: Lessons from Uganda
The Ugandan government's approach to property registration reform is part of a larger initiative of economic development and government-wide improvement of public services. To address this problem, government agencies have been grouped for purposes of discussion and resolution of issues. These, and other related bodies, work with the assistance of donor organizations to improve land administration, the legal framework, and the business environment. It is hoped that recent interventions will improve Uganda's property registration process. Read More
