2014年-世界发展银行全球_Enterprise_Surveys___Belarus_Country_Profile_2013_15页_1mb

Belarus Country Profile 2013 Summary

Core Content Overview

The Belarus Country Profile 2013 is part of the Enterprise Surveys conducted by the World Bank and its partner, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), as part of the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS). These surveys aim to assess the business environment and firm performance in Belarus by collecting data from a representative sample of non-agricultural formal private firms. The findings are benchmarked against the Eastern Europe & Central Asia (ECA) region and Lower middle income countries.

Main Topics Covered

The document covers several key areas that influence the business environment and firm productivity in Belarus:

• Business Environment Obstacles
• Average Firm Characteristics
• Infrastructure
• Trade
• Regulations, Taxes, and Business Licensing
• Corruption
• Crime and Informality
• Finance
• Innovation and Workforce

Key Findings and Main Points

1. Business Environment Obstacles

• Firms in Belarus perceive corruption and regulatory inefficiencies as the most significant business environment challenges.
• The Graft Index for Belarus is 6.5, indicating a relatively low incidence of informal payments compared to the regional average of 13.3.
• Corruption affects the ease of doing business, increasing costs and risks for firms.
• Regulatory delays and complexity are common, especially for obtaining permits and licenses.

2. Average Firm Characteristics

• The average firm age in Belarus is 12.9 years, with small firms being slightly younger at 11.0 years.
• Female participation in top management is 32.7%, with small firms having the highest percentage at 37.1%.
• Female ownership is 43.6%, with small firms again showing higher participation at 46.3%.
• Private ownership dominates, with 87.4% of firms being privately owned, while government/state ownership is 6.0%.

3. Infrastructure

• Power outages are rare, with 0.1 per month on average, and 0.1% of sales lost due to these outages.
• Water shortages occur 0.1 times per month, with 0.3 hours of average shortage duration.
• Delays in obtaining electrical connections are 21.6 days, and water connections are 17.1 days, both higher than the regional average.

4. Trade

• 27.7% of firms in Belarus are exporters, with small firms at 22.3% and medium firms at 34.2%.
• 84.5% of firms use foreign inputs or supplies, showing a high level of integration into global markets.
• The average time to clear direct exports through customs is 2.4 days, and imports take 3.1 days.
• Theft and breakage during direct exports result in 0.1% of sales lost, slightly lower than the regional average.

5. Regulations, Taxes, and Business Licensing

• The average number of days to obtain an import license is 18.3, with construction-related permits taking 46.8 days.
• Senior management time spent dealing with government regulation is 13.7%, slightly lower than the regional average of 19.9%.
• Tax inspections average 0.5 visits per firm, with medium firms experiencing more frequent interactions.

6. Corruption

• 17.0% of firms expect to give gifts to secure a government contract, which is lower than the regional average of 24.4%.
• 15.0% of firms expect to give gifts to obtain a construction permit, again lower than the regional average.
• 0.0% of firms expect to give gifts for an import license, showing a more transparent process compared to the regional average of 10.5%.

7. Crime and Informality

• 53.1% of firms believe the court system is fair, slightly higher than the regional average of 38.1%.
• Security costs are 1.0% of sales, and losses due to theft, robbery, etc. are 0.4% of sales.
• 98.8% of firms are formally registered, indicating a low level of informality in the private sector.

8. Finance

• Internal finance is the main source of investment funding, with 78.2% of firms relying on it.
• Bank finance accounts for 14.4% of investment funding, with medium firms using it more frequently.
• Collateral requirements are high, with 153.6% of the loan amount needed, higher than the regional average.
• 30.4% of firms have bank loans or lines of credit, with large firms being the most likely to access financial services.
• 92.2% of firms have checking or savings accounts, showing a high level of financial inclusion.

9. Innovation and Workforce

• 13.5% of firms have internationally recognized quality certifications, with medium firms having the highest rate at 17.8%.
• 43.3% of firms have annual financial statements reviewed by external auditors, indicating a moderate level of financial transparency.
• 66.4% of firms use their own websites, and 88.6% use email for communication with clients and suppliers.
• Average number of permanent workers is 42.5, with large firms employing significantly more.
• Female full-time employment is 50.9%, with small firms having the highest rate at 53.5%.

Key Indicators Summary

Conclusion

The Belarus Country Profile 2013 highlights that while the country has a relatively high level of formal registration and financial inclusion, it still faces challenges in corruption, regulatory efficiency, and infrastructure access. These factors can hinder firm productivity and growth, and the report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers and researchers aiming to improve the business environment and support economic development.