2010年-世界发展银行全球_Enterprise_Surveys___Cape_Verde_Country_Profile_2009_15页_1mb

Cape Verde Country Profile 2009 Summary

Core Content Overview

The Cape Verde Country Profile 2009 is a report by the World Bank's Enterprise Surveys, which provide a comprehensive analysis of the business environment in Cape Verde. The report compares Cape Verde's performance with other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the lower middle-income group. It covers various aspects such as business environment obstacles, infrastructure, trade, regulations and taxes, corruption, crime and informality, finance, and innovation and workforce.

Main Topics and Key Indicators

1. Business Environment Obstacles

• The report highlights the challenges firms face in Cape Verde, including corruption, regulatory inefficiencies, taxation, and business licensing.
• Top 10 Constraints: Firms in Cape Verde perceive certain obstacles as more significant than the regional average, particularly in areas like corruption and licensing delays.
• Top 3 Constraints by Firm Size: Large firms face more severe challenges in obtaining construction permits, operating licenses, and import licenses.

2. Infrastructure

• Infrastructure is critical for firm competitiveness and productivity.
• Key Issues:
  • Power Outages: Average of 4.9 per month, causing 5.5% loss of sales.
  • Water Shortages: 5.8 per month, with an average duration of 9.8 hours, leading to value lost due to shortages.
  • Delays in obtaining services: Firms face 30.5 days to get an electrical connection, 27.6 days for water, and 6.5 days for telephone connections.

3. Trade

• Trade is an important aspect of economic activity, but it comes with customs delays and transport risks.
• Key Indicators:
  • Exporter Firms: Only 4.0% of firms in Cape Verde export directly or indirectly.
  • Foreign Inputs: 58.3% of firms use foreign material inputs or supplies.
  • Customs Delays: Average of 10.2 days for direct exports and 20.5 days for imports.
  • Transport Losses: 0.2% of export value is lost due to theft, and 0.2% due to breakage or spoilage.

4. Regulations, Taxes, and Business Licensing

• Regulatory Efficiency: The process of obtaining licenses and permits is time-consuming and costly.
• Key Indicators:
  • Import License: 27.7 days to obtain.
  • Construction Permit: 43.3 days to obtain.
  • Operating License: 39.2 days to obtain.
  • Senior Management Time: 4.3% of time is spent dealing with government regulations.
  • Tax Meetings: 1.5 average visits or meetings with tax officials per year.
  • Legal Forms: Sole Proprietorship dominates with 53.5%, while Open Shareholding Company is the least common at 11.0%.

5. Corruption

• Corruption is a major concern, affecting business operations and increasing costs.
• Key Indicators:
  • Graft Index: 2.1% of firms in Cape Verde reported being asked or expected to pay bribes.
  • Gift Payments: 1.1% of firms expected to give gifts to tax inspectors, 3.6% to get a construction permit, and 2.3% to get an import license.
  • Government Contracts: No firms reported expected gift payments to secure government contracts.

6. Crime and Informality

• Crime Costs: Firms in Cape Verde spend 1.8% of sales on security, with 1.6% lost due to theft, robbery, vandalism, and arson.
• Informality: 81.3% of firms were formally registered at the time of starting operations, indicating a relatively low level of informality.
• Legal Perception: 59.5% of firms believe the court system is fair, impartial, and uncorrupted.

7. Finance

• Financing Sources: Firms rely heavily on internal finance for investment, with 56.7% using it.
• Bank Finance: 23.9% of firms use bank finance for investment.
• Working Capital: 40.4% of firms use external financing for working capital.
• Collateral Requirements: 176.4% of the loan amount is required as collateral, which is significantly high.
• Bank Accounts: 96.5% of firms have a checking or savings account.

8. Innovation and Workforce

• Innovation: Only 15.9% of firms have internationally recognized quality certifications.
• Workforce Composition:
  • Female Participation: 16.7% of firms have female top managers, and 49.7% of firms employ full-time female workers.
  • Ownership: 33.1% of firms have female participation in ownership.
  • Labor Contracts: 3.1 average temporary workers and 19.0 average permanent, full-time workers.
  • ICT Usage: 62.8% of firms use email for communication with clients/suppliers.

Key Findings

• Corruption and Regulatory Burden: Cape Verde has relatively low levels of corruption compared to the regional average, but regulatory inefficiencies and licensing delays remain significant challenges.
• Infrastructure Deficiencies: Power and water shortages are persistent, with substantial impacts on firm operations and sales.
• Trade Constraints: Customs procedures are slow, and transport risks are minimal.
• Informality and Legal System: The legal system is perceived as relatively fair, and informality is not widespread.
• Finance and Investment: Firms heavily rely on internal finance, and access to external financing is limited.
• Workforce and Innovation: Female participation is moderate, and innovation levels are low, suggesting a need for improvement in these areas.

Conclusion

The report underscores the importance of improving business environment, regulatory efficiency, and infrastructure to enhance firm productivity and economic growth in Cape Verde. It also highlights the need for better access to financial services, innovation support, and gender inclusion in the workforce. Overall, Cape Verde's performance is better than the regional average in some areas but still faces challenges in creating a more efficient and supportive business environment.