Competitiveness of, and Challenges for, ACP Countries in the Current International Trading Environment

Quotations on priorities for enhancing international business development proposed by enterprises and business associations in selected ACP countries

Adoption of an investment code.

Allow importers to have convertible currencies.

Arrange business missions abroad.

Assurance for external trade.

Avoid setting minimum prices for exports

Cheaper Internet.

Conduct buyer-seller meetings.

Conduct more import/export seminars.

Conduct short management courses for private sector managers.

Develop mechanisms for countering corruption

Customs procedures should be streamlined

Decentralized currency collection mechanisms.

Develop partnership with regional and other businessmen.

Development of professional conferences.

Disseminate trade information at the grassroots level.

Education in foreign customs/languages

Encourage foreign investors.

Encourage skilled nationals living abroad to return

Establish joint-ventures.

Establishment of export processing zones.

Facilitate access to English courses.

Fight against copyright violations.

Fight against inflation.

Financial support to private sector associations.

Free trade in the region.

Guarantee system like the French COFACE.

Harmonization of import tariffs in regional countries.

Harassment by police, customs officers and bureaucrats.

Improve purchasing power.

Improvement of efficiency on rail, especially Nacala corridor.

Improvement of storage facilities.

Improving the local administration.

Increase pre-shipment inspection threshold to US$ 10,000.

Information on international norms and standards

Information on specific regulations for all countries.

Establish mechanisms to reward to all well-managed enterprises.

Introducing up-to-date technology in concepts of product development.

Liberalization of the banking system.

Linking local producers to technical volunteers.

Lower the costs for harbors and airports.

Make credit facilities available.

Management and marketing training.

Market studies, directories, trade magazines, hand- books should be made available.

Meetings between businessmen from north and south should be more frequent.

Modernize customs offices

More cooperation between regional banks.

National bank price control on exportable commodities.

Need to create a climate for research and development of new products.

Need for a railroad.

Need for an agriculture reform.

Need for cheaper flights to Australia.

Need for reassessing high

Export duties

Cost of flights from Sudan

Cost of raw materials

Duties and tariffs

Freight costs

Inspection fees for exports

Interest rates

Lease prices

Taxes

Taxes on transports

Need for expertise and technology in specific sectors e.g. ago-based industries and tourism.

Need for investment.

Need for trading agreements.

NGOs involved in trade promotion should be supported adequately.

Illegal imports.

Privatization of telecommunication services

Promotion of north-south joint-ventures to facilitate technology transfer.

Promotion of trade missions.

Publish the contents of the UR Trade Agreements.

Rail connections to East African and other ports.

Railroad between Kigali and Mombassa.

Reduction of export and import barriers

Rehabilitation of the free trade zone.

Relax currency regulations.

Relax immigration restrictions.

Removal of double taxation.

Removal of land mines.

Removal of levy on tea & coffee.

Reorganize the international chamber of commerce.

Respect for international trade laws.

Restrain hyperinflation.

Selection of products.

Seminars about experiences in other countries.

Seminars about the importance of regional markets and south-south cooperation.

Seminars about WTO.

Sanitary controls at country entry points.

Simplification of paperwork for export documentation.

Simplification of taxation system.

Strengthen banking sector.

Strengthen the capacity of the Chamber of Commerce in solving disputes

Strengthen employers associations.

Strengthening of local service industries.

Subsidizing transport costs.

Support for new enterprises.

Technical assistance for training of staff.

Telephone, faxes and e-mail should be up-to-date.

The private sector should have a role in policy formulation.

Train Government officials to appreciate problems of the business community.

Training for bureaucrats.

Training for tax authority staff.

Training for unskilled labour.

Training in international trade.

Training of relevant customs personnel.

Transport subsidies.

Uniform norms between Commonwealth and francophone countries.

Up-to-date information on consumer preferences.

Workshops on Uruguay Round implications.

There is no

comprehensive database on research activities

development bank

diversification of the market

possibility for clear decision-making

sectoral policy

willingness to pay the products

Addressing the lack of

political and democratic openness

capacity for effective trade negotiations

conservation facilities for fresh fruits

currency

empty containers

information on new technologies

integration of investor promotional strategies with export development initiatives

investment partners

latest communication facilities

professionalism

resources to access website, international directory listings, media coverage

skilled, motivated staff for management

transparency at all levels of decision-making

well equipped laboratory for quality control & demonstrations

Need for support because of low

Production

Production capacities

Productivity

Purchasing power

Acute shortage of funds.

Air transport is not available

Bank credits are bureaucratic.

Cellular phones are poor and expensive.

Competition from foreigners.

Deficit in balance of payments.

Difficulties in getting import/export licenses.

Difficulties in supplying work permits.

Everything has to be imported.

Excessive bureaucracy that hinders business development.

Exchange rate problems.

Expensive telecommunications.

Fear of SMEs to export.

Financial constraints - lack of capital and high interest rate.

Geographical isolation.

Government is controlling access to loans.

Government is unstable.

Government ministers are ignorant about business. They are easily bribed and often become directors of foreign companies.

Government policies restrict entry of expatriates.

Ineffective bi- and multilateral trade agreements.

Information about what is needed in other countries.

Insecurity for lives and goods.

International import & export laws.

Investors are expected to leave after two years.

Lack of a scientific and technological centre.

Limited and expensive sources of energy.

Local manufacturing is too costly.

Mining license not considered an asset hence lack of collateral for loans.

Neighbouring countries are aggressive.

Non-tariff barriers to trade in sub-regional markets.

Not enough sealines.

Only one navigation company.

Political control of all decisions, leading to stagnation.

Political instability.

Poor communication with overseas banks.

Poverty.

Pressure by World Bank

Problem of marine and inland transport due to lack of alternative shipping lines and sub-standard highways.

Problems convincing foreigners that we manufacture to world standard.

Problems obtaining shipping line schedules.

Property rights are not respected.

Slow decision making.

Smuggling.

South African non-tariff barriers.

Streamline procedure for obtaining export/import licenses.

Telecommunications and electric power in poor condition.

The government does not provide any type of assistance to enterprises.

Uganda is currently known to rival Sweden as the most taxed nation on earth.

Unnecessary delay on checkpoints.

Unreliable power supply.

Weak port handling at high cost.

Workers’ motivation.

Source: Survey carried out by the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO, 1997.