Meeting on updating the implementation progress of the Doing Business Indicators reforms based on the Prime Minister Order No. 02
On 24 September 2020, the Investment Promotion Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment held a meeting to update the implementation progress of the Doing Business Indicators reforms based on the Prime Minister Order No. 02 on Improvement of Regulation and Coordination Mechanism to improve Doing Business environment in Laos PDR. The meeting disussed achievements made in the 3rd quarter, key implementation challenges and engagement of vientiane capital and provincial authorities as well as key priorities for the last quarter of 2020. The meeting was attended by representatives from various doing business reform led agencies and concerned agencies from Vientiane Capital.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Mr. Phonesay Vilaysack (Ph.D), Deputy Director General of Investment Promotion Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment, stated that Lao PDR submitted the Update Reform Memoir in May 2020 to inform the World Bank Group about progress made on its doing busines environment reforms including 18 new reforms and 6 areas that requires data correction. These reforms are expected to be considered in the assessment of the World Bank Ease of Doing Business (EDB) report 2021 for Lao PDR.
Among others, the most outstanding reform is a reduction of time and procedures to register a business from 173 to 17 days and from 9 to 3 steps. Other reform progresses also include reduction in time and procedures to get a construction permit as well as allowing access to information online where Application forms and others relevant documents can now be downloadable online. In addition, the time to get water supply is reduced from 45 to 15 days and request for getting electricity currently does not require a certificate signed by a village chief. For registration of properties/land titles, reforms have been made to allow for gradually transforming into a digitalized database. Further, relevant regulations on protecting minority investors were clarified and three new tax laws were introduced in early 2020. Nevertheless, there has been a minor progress made to improve indicators on Getting Credit, Enforcing Contract and Solving Insolvency during a period for EDB 2021 report.
The chairman informed the meeting about the World Bank Group’s Official Statement dated on 27 August 2020, which announced the publication of EDB 2021 report (which is supposed to be issued by end of this year) is temporary paused due to the World Bank Group is currently conducting an internal audit of the processes for data collection and review for Doing Business. (https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/statement/2020/08/27/doing-business—data-irregularities-statement )
In his closing remarks, the Chairman congratulated all concerned agencies/ministries for the excellent progress made so far and asked for continuing their strong efforts on accelerating implementation of activities that are key priorities that have been planned for the last quarter of 2020. Also, Deputy Director General Dr. Phonesay also asked concerned agencies to strengthern collaboration with provincial level authories to ensure effective and consistent implementation of major reforms including the newly introduced regulations and administrative changes at local level.
On behalf of PM Order No. 02 Coordination Secretariat, Ministry of Planning and Investment will continue supporting the sectors to eliminate barriers to enable private sector-led growth by improving regulatory environment, lowering trade costs and raising firm level competitiveness. We would like to express our sincere thanks to the develoment partners in particular the Lao PDR Competitiveness and Trade Project (LCT) for technical and financial support to deliver business environment reform prority actions.
