The Doing Business 2018 report released Tuesday in Washington DC unveils Uganda as one of the countries that have performed poorly, positioned at 122 for the ease of doing business out of 190 countries considered.
Uganda came behind her neighbours Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania, with Rwanda coming in position 41, making it East Africa’s top country in the ease of doing business.
The Doing Business 2018 based on indicators; starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity and registering property. On the indicators implemented from June 2016 to June 2017, Uganda came in positions 165, 148 and 124 respectively.
However was recognised for reducing time for export documentary compliance and border compliance by allowing for electronic document submission and processing of certificates of origin and by further developing the Malaba One-Stop Border Post.
Kenya was recognised as it made starting business easier by merging the procedures required to operate formally.
On the other hand Tanzania made dealing with construction permits easier by implementing a One-Stop Shop and streamlining the building permit process.
Rwanda increased quality control during contruction by introducing risk-based inspections.
Meanwhile Burundi was noted as it made starting business more expensive by increasing the cost of registering business.
Doing Business report focuses on promoting regulatory reform that strengthens the ability of the private sector to create jobs, lift people out of poverty and create more opportunities for the economy to prosper.
The report shows that Governments in 119 economies carried out 264 business reforms in the past year to create jobs, attract investment and become more competitive, says the World Bank Group’s latest Doing Business 2018: Reforming to Create Jobs report.
Developing countries carried out 206 reforms, accounting for 78 percent of the total reforms, with Sub-Saharan Africa implementing 83 reforms, a record for a second consecutive year for the region, and South Asia implementing a record 20 reforms.
A large number of reforms centered on improving access to credit and registering a new business, with 38 reforms each, as well as facilitating cross border trade, with 33 reforms.
Marking its 15th anniversary, the report notes that 3,188 business reforms have been carried out since it began monitoring the ease of doing business for domestic small and medium enterprises around the world.
“Job creation is one of the transformational gains that countries and communities can achieve when the private sector is allowed to flourish. Fair, efficient and transparent rules, which Doing Business promotes, improve governance and tackle corruption,” said World Bank Chief Executive Officer Kristalina Georgieva.
“Policy reforms catalyze private investment. Promoting a well-functioning private sector is a major undertaking for any government. It requires long-term policies of removing administrative barriers and strengthening laws that promote entrepreneurship,” Georgieva adds.
