Business Licensing and Regulatory Governance

Administrative barriers to investment within subjects of the Russian Federation - Chapter 3 (September 2001)

This study of administrative barriers to investment focuses on the day-to-day experiences of businesses. The study analyzes all the procedures that an average investor (foreign or domestic) must follow in order to start a new investment, as well as routine interactions between businesses and government agencies during normal business operations. The report documents the steps that must be followed, how long they take, and how much they cost. These procedures are compared across the five regions participating in the study, and also across other transition and emerging market economies.

Administrative barriers to investment within subjects of the Russian Federation - Chapter 4 (September 2001)

This study of administrative barriers to investment focuses on the day-to-day experiences of businesses. The study analyzes all the procedures that an average investor (foreign or domestic) must follow in order to start a new investment, as well as routine interactions between businesses and government agencies during normal business operations. The report documents the steps that must be followed, how long they take, and how much they cost. These procedures are compared across the five regions participating in the study, and also across other transition and emerging market economies.

Administrative Barriers to Foreign Investment: Reducing Red Tape in Africa (June 2000)

The book consists of two papers which provide an overview of administrative barriers in Africa, and a very in-depth look at how one country, Mozambique, used a very large foreign investment as a mechanism to begin to tear them down. The first paper is based on a series of country-specific studies on administrative barriers done by Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS) and the United States Agency for International Development. These studies covered Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Each country study relied on review of primary materials, laws, and regulations. The second paper is a detailed look at how the administrative barriers that existed in Mozambique threatened to derail the huge Mozal aluminum smelter that was proposed by South African investors. Not only were the barriers overcome for this special project but also the Government used the knowledge gained in the process to reduce barriers for all investors and establish institutions that could facilitate other investments. The message in both papers is that administrative barriers constitute a significant impediment to foreign direct investment in Africa. Many of the administrative procedures required of investors have no real justification. Removal of unnecessary barriers and streamlining other administrative procedures require detailed efforts by governments involving the exercise of significant political leadership.