2011年-世界发展银行全球_Yemen_Country_Profile_2010_15页_878kb

Yemen Country Profile 2010 Summary

Core Content Overview

The Yemen Country Profile 2010 provides an analysis of the business environment and key economic indicators based on the Enterprise Surveys conducted by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). These surveys aim to assess the factors that influence firm performance and productivity across various sectors of the non-agricultural formal private economy. The data is benchmarked against the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region and the low-income group of countries.

Main Topics Covered

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

Key Findings

Business Environment Obstacles

• Firms in Yemen face significant challenges in the business environment.
• The top 10 constraints include corruption, regulatory inefficiencies, and informal practices.
• Small firms report higher obstacles compared to large firms, particularly in areas like bribes and licensing processes.

Average Firm

• The average firm in Yemen has an age of 15.3 years.
• Female participation in top management is minimal (0.1%) and in ownership is around 6.4%.
• Private domestic ownership is dominant, accounting for 83.9% of firms, while foreign private ownership is rare (0.7%).

Infrastructure

• Electricity is a major issue, with 54.4 power outages per month and 13.2% of sales lost due to outages.
• Water shortages are also common, with 5.5 shortages per month and an average 6.4-hour duration.
• Delays in obtaining infrastructure services are high, with 68.2 days for electricity and 62.7 days for water connections.

Trade

• Only 3.1% of firms in Yemen export directly or indirectly.
• 43.3% of firms use foreign material inputs.
• Customs clearance for exports takes 6.2 days, and for imports, 21.5 days.
• Losses during export are minimal, with 0.6% due to breakage or spoilage.

Regulations, Taxes, and Business Licensing

• The process of obtaining business licenses and permits is lengthy and costly.
• Days to obtain an import license are 24.8, significantly higher than the low-income average of 16.1.
• Days to obtain a construction permit are 39.5, which is much higher than the MENA average of 29.8.
• Senior management time spent on regulatory requirements is 11.8%, with medium firms spending the most (29.4%).
• Sole proprietorships dominate the business structure, accounting for 71.0% of firms.

Corruption

• Corruption is a major issue, with 57.7% of firms reporting the Graft Index.
• Bribes are common in dealings with tax inspectors (66.7%), government contracts (70.8%), and construction permits (62.3%).
• Small firms are more likely to pay bribes to obtain import licenses (94.1%) compared to large firms (25.0%).

Crime and Informality

• Only 19.2% of firms believe the court system is fair, impartial, and uncorrupted.
• Security costs account for 0.5% of sales, with theft, robbery, and vandalism causing 0.6% of sales losses.
• Formal registration at the time of firm establishment is reported by 81.7% of firms, suggesting a relatively low level of informality.

Finance

• Internal finance is the primary source of investment, used by 87.5% of firms.
• Bank financing is minimal, with 2.3% of firms relying on it.
• Working capital is often financed externally, with 18.1% of firms using external sources.
• The collateral requirement for loans is high, at 242.9% of the loan amount.
• Only 8.1% of firms have bank loans or lines of credit.
• Checking or savings accounts are held by 31.3% of firms, with medium firms showing higher usage (80.0%).

Innovation and Workforce

• International quality certifications are rare, with only 4.4% of firms holding them.
• Annual financial statements reviewed by external auditors are reported by 14.3% of firms.
• Website usage is low, with 12.6% of firms using one.
• Email communication is used by 15.6% of firms.
• Female full-time employment is low, at 5.2%.
• Temporary workers are common, with an average of 2.5 per firm.

Summary of Key Indicators

Conclusion

The business environment in Yemen is marked by high levels of corruption, inefficient regulations, and limited access to formal financial services. These factors significantly hinder firm productivity and growth. While sole proprietorships dominate, large firms show better performance in terms of registration, collateral requirements, and access to financial services. The infrastructure and trade sectors also present substantial challenges, with electricity and water shortages being major concerns. Innovation and digital adoption are low, and gender participation in management and ownership remains minimal. Overall, the data highlights the need for reforms in governance, infrastructure, and financial systems to improve the business climate and promote sustainable development.