Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Enhanced Integrated Framework ...

PILLAR : ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENTSECTOR : PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND TRADEObjectives or Outcomes Policy Action or Activities Category Timeframe Responsible AgencyRegulations, taxes and licensesare streamlined andbetter enforcedCivil society groups are ableto operate effectively to aidExtend the duration of leases for government land and ensure that they areeither wholly or partly transferable.Develop a strategy for industrial parks, including the creation of an industrialpark development department as an independent authority.Consolidate the registration of private sector entities and the issuance of taxidentification numbers into a single platform, extending the service to smallerbusinesses.Remove licensing requirements except for reasons of health, safety, environmentalprotection, land use and access to natural resources.Make necessary business licenses more effective by re-engineering andstreamlining themAdopt the principles of regulatory best practice (RBP) to ensure that new regulationsare appropriate and minimize compliance costMinimize compliance costs for SMEs by introducing appropriate administrativeand reporting exemptions for SMEsOther Measures Mid-1387 Ministry of JusticeOther Measures End-1387 Ministry of Commerce andIndustry, AISAInstitution Building End-1387 Ministry of Commerce andIndustryOther Measures Mid-1387 Ministry of Commerce andIndustryInstitution Building 12 months Ministry of Commerce andIndustryLegislation 18 months Ministry of Commerce andIndustry, Ministry of JusticeOther Measures 12 months Ministry of FinancePublish comprehensive information on licensing requirements and procedures Other Measures 12 months Ministry of Commerce andIndustryEducate private sector stakeholders’ (investors, employers, employees andconsumers) to increase awareness and understanding of their legal and regulatoryrights and responsibilities.Establish and enforce “one-stop collection points” for tax payment and othergovernment revenue collection in every district centre.Continue to eliminate nuisance taxes and reform the tax system to make itsimpler, fairer, more competitive and easier to comply withReform and revitalize the High Commission on Investment (HCI). Ensure thatAISA is an effective secretariat; ensure that it meets regularly (starting in thenext 14 days); focus it on policy issues; introduce increased private sectorrepresentation; improve member selection process to focus on competence andexperience; extend access to SMEs throughout the country. Report results ofHCI reform to the private sector.Apply customs regulations consistently across the country and commit toachieving an average time for importing and exporting goods in line with bestpractice in the region (reduced by at least half of current levels).Other Measures 12 months Ministry of Commerce andIndustryInstitution Building Mid-1387 Ministry of FinanceInstitution Building 12 months Ministry of FinanceInstitution Building End-1386 High Commission on Investment;AISAInstitution Building End-1387 Ministry of FinanceExamine the merits of outsourcing custom services Other Measures Mid-1388 Ministry of FinanceRevise, clarify and update the legal framework governing civil society organizations,including the NGO Law and Social Organizations Law, to cover civilLegislation End-1387 Ministry of Economy, Ministryof Justice with Civil Society208Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS)