Using Information and Communications Technology to promote regulatory services A Case Study of...
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Transcript of Using Information and Communications Technology to promote regulatory services A Case Study of...
Using Information and Communications Technology to promote regulatory services
A Case Study of Mauritius
January 2010
www.investmauritius.com
Mr. Kevin Bessoondyal
Asst Director – Planning & PolicyBoard of Investment
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Improving the investment climate: How it started?
FIAS/World Bank Investment Climate Report – Weaknesses and policy gaps as regards investment climate
Business Facilitation Act 2006
Doing Business – Mauritius Ranking: 17th in the world; 1st in Africa
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Business Facilitation Act 2006
Before After
23 investment schemes for e.g. EPZ, hotel development schemes
Abolished almost all investment schemes except 2: Property and Freeport
Differentiated tax treatment ranging from 0 to 25%
Harmonised tax regime at 15%
Investment Projects: Screen and approve permits
Based on clear and transparent guidelines (Mandatory to register with the Register of Companies)
Focussed on specific sectorsDeveloped globally competitive industries with focus on export oriented sectors
Restricted economic policy : hindering investment to happen
Liberalised economic policy with regards to:1. Investment: No minimum investment
required2. Movement of people: Occupation permit
granted to four categories namely: investor, self-employed, professional and retired foreigners
3. Acquisition of property by foreigner for business purposes
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Doing Business Ranking
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Improving Business Climate (contd)
Recruitment of consultant for streamlining of business licenses
3 Technical Working Groups set to improve the ease of doing business
“Dealing with construction permits” indicator recommended for streamlining and simplification of business licenses for all regulated activities
Proposal of setting up an E-regulation platform component coupled with streamlining of business licenses exercise
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Measures taken
Announcement that the Board of Investment will be responsible to host the E-platform made in the Budget speech
Pilot project involving 4 Ministries : Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Agro Industry
Recruitment of personnel to develop system
Capacity Building program for the staff to ensure they get familiar with the tools and development platform
Procurement of high level IT infrastructure
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The IT Hardware Infrastructure
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Identification of processes in each Ministry
Consultative meetings to understand the different steps for processing of licenses and permits in the 4 identified ministries
Work out the different steps in a process flow chart format
Recommendations on re-engineering the processes wherever needed
Get the process flows vetted by each ministry and organisation
Setup the informative portal for all business licenses
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The Informative E-regulations Portal
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The Informative E-regulations Portal(contd)
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Process Flow Chart
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Performing an IT Audit
Perform an IT Audit to identify the needs of each ministry with respect to IT infrastructure to access the platform
Recommendations made to the Ministry of Finance and the METAP committee for funds
Sign off on a report on the IT Audit with all respective ministries
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Final Demonstration and implementation of platform
Pre-implementation phase: Testing of the system
Final demonstration on the E-Regulations platform to different stakeholders
Implementation of the platform in each respective ministry
Structured training sessions with government officials who will be using the platform for processing of the business licenses
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Challenges faced and actions taken
Challenges faced Actions taken
Resistance from different organisations to collaborate in the e-regulations project
Consultative meetings with each organisation to explain the importance of this national project
Apprehension on the security of their data to be hosted at BOI
The IT team of BOI had to conduct several meetings with officials of the ministries to explain the security aspect of the system
Time taken for the organisations to vet the process flows
Consultation with high level officers of the ministries
Some organisations questioning why BOI shall be responsible for hosting this platform
Prepare legislation to make BOI the official depository of all business licenses in Mauritius
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Way Forward
Complete implementation of the pilot project for the 4 selected Ministries by March 2010
Extend the project to the remaining ministries in Mauritius by end 2010
Provide Disaster Recovery facilities to the Ministries by replicating the e-regulations application and database to a remote site
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Q&A
Mauritius, a nurturing environment that serves as a springboard for your business success
Thank You