…as Gov’t advances its institutional sector reform agenda
In 2010, the networking of an information system with central Deeds Registry, its sub-Registries, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be completed, facilitating online filing of registration, renewal of registration and same day registration of businesses.
Also, a single window processing system for which $146.8M has been allocated in the $142.8B, 2010 National Budget, which was revealed by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Monday, under the theme “Consolidate, Transform, Sustain”, will effect the linking of all licensing bodies with the GRA, with a view to reducing the time taken to process trade transactions.
Taken together, these reforms will significantly reduce the time and cost of doing business in Guyana.
The Minister explained that policy coordination and leadership for the national competitiveness programme continue to be provided by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) chaired by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
This body, Minister Singh stated, includes a number of Ministers, along with representatives of the private sector and labour.
Under the auspices of this Council, work advanced on a number of initiatives aimed at removing obstacles to competitiveness.
GRA
The reforms and modernisation of the GRA also continued with the completion of the restructuring of the entity along functional lines, further development of the integrated tax administration system and the alignment of various business processes, procurement of computers and other equipment including a scanner, the purchase of patrol boats and establishment of a Marine Operations Unit to enhance enforcement operations, the establishment of checkpoints at Kurupukari, Crab Island and Charity, along with the establishment of a fully integrated regional tax office at Parika.
In 2010, focus will continue to be placed on modernising and strengthening capacity in the various operational areas of the GRA. This will result in completion of a warehouse, the operationalising of the container scanner, as well as expansion of regional tax offices. These are expected to significantly improve operational efficiency and taxpayer satisfaction, while enhancing the revenue generation capability of the Authority. Meanwhile, consideration will continue to be given to options for tax reform and further strengthening of the tax administration.
An allocation of $75M has been made for the establishment and operationalising of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, that will enable the establishment of a functional secretariat.
NIS
In relation to the NIS, 2009 saw steps being taken to increase compliance among employers and self-employed persons, to enhance the quality of service provided by the Scheme to its contributors, and to improve administrative efficiency. To this end, a number of amendments were effected to the statutes.
The requirement of submission of certificates of NIS compliance by employers and self-employed persons before the award of Government contracts has been made mandatory. This stipulation had been in implementation administratively for some time, but without the support of explicit legislative reference. Its enshrinement in the statutes should bring increased compliance particularly by self-employed persons, a category known traditionally to be somewhat elusive from the Scheme’s reach.
With the aim of promoting greater administrative efficiency at the NIS and reducing incidence of inaccurate or incomplete contributor records, the statutes were amended to require NIS to submit to both employers’ and employees’ annual statements of contributions after the end of each year. NIS has also introduced and is now enforcing the requirement of electronic submission of contribution schedules by employers. Work is still ongoing with large employers to ensure their full transition. These initiatives would enable greater accuracy and more timely verification and rectification of inaccuracies where required.
Strengthening public administration
In 2009, work commenced on the development of a results-based monitoring and evaluation system and the designing of training programmes to be rolled out in 2010. In addition, Government will pursue an agenda for further strengthening of public financial management which, when implemented, will see improved internal controls, expanded use of Information-Communication-Technology (ICT) in the delivery of information and services, and the further strengthening of the Audit Office in support of expanded conduct of performance and forensic audits. These and other initiatives will be pursued in keeping with Government’s increased emphasis on quality of delivery, value for money, and enhanced accountability for performance, across all programmes.
All these initiatives in 2009 and which will continue in 2010 shall assist in improving the competitiveness of Guyana, making it much easier to do business and generating increased business activity, employment and wealth that should benefit all Guyanese. (GINA)