Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698836260077.pdf (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)
CARICOM TRADE AND COMPETITIVENESS PROJECT IN THE CARICOM REGION (A-32281) FUNDED BY CIDA CONSULTANCY TO CREATE BEST PRACTICE MODELS AND DELIVER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO IMPLEMENT NATIONAL CSME WORK PLANS (REFORM ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES) ENGAGING NON STATE ACTORS (NSA) ST VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES 17 June 2013 The Purpose of the consultancy is to streamline Government functions so that businesses can operate more efficiently and competitively.
The main project activities will be; I. Refinement of Technical Action Plans for reform of Member States CARICOM Single Market administrative systems, practices and procedures in relation to agreed standards; II.

Development and implementation of Best Practice Models for harmonisation and standardisation of core CSME administrative practices and procedures; III.
Reform and documentation of national administrative systems, practices and procedures in Member States; Improved systems for data capture and reporting; Training of state personnel and other persons identified IV.

V. VI.

Revision of the CARICOM Single Market Manual of Administrative procedures.
At the end of the project the following types of improvements will be observed: Improved electronic platforms or online services Introduction or improved electronic submission and processing (goods) Improved customs administration Introduction of electronic single window Improved port procedures • Streamlined procedures • Reduced time for processing permits • Application processes introduced or improved • One-stop shop (establishment) where possible • Assessment of fees • • • • • • Developed Standard Operating Procedures and manuals • Trained administrators and front line personnel • Introduction or improved online procedures • Introduction of effective time limits • Simplified registration formalities • Cut or simplified post-registration procedures (tax registration, social security registration, licensing) Increased administrative efficiency • • Computerised procedures • Combined or reduced procedures • Data capture and management architecture in place 1 The Change Management Team contracted to execute the consultancy will be in St Kitts and Nevis from 03 – 07 June.
The Team will consult with you on 04 May 2013 regarding the changes that you think will be the most helpful.

In order to prepare we ask you to identify the problems and the changes of interest to you.

In preparation for the meeting we ask you to answer a number of questions.
The responses should be tailored to provide information on the most important problems to be solved.Therefore, what are the problems, which departments of government are the most problematic, what should be done (changes, reforms) to facilitate ‘doing businesses in St Kitts and Nevis?

The questions address the issues relating to eachspecific process as well as the department of government (process owner) responsible for the process (which should be identified).
The questions have specific focus on issues relating to: 1.

Employing CARICOM Nationals from other Member States (MS); 2.

Company establishment; 3.

Trading across borders; and 4.

Provision of services.

Employing CARICOM Nationals from other Member States/Employment laws 1.

Do you apply for Work Permits or the CARICOM Skills Certificate when attempting to employ skilled persons from outside of St Kitts and Nevis?

Tick the box below.
Tick the box below.

Work Permit Name of Department: CARICOMCertificate Name of Department: Yes [ ] No [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] 2.

Have you experienced any problems when attempting to employ skilled persons from other CARICOM countries?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: 3.

If yes, what kinds of problems?

(a) Length of time to approve application Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: (b) Too many Government departments involved in processing the application?
Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: 2 (c) Process of entry into St Kitts and Nevis?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: (d) Process of verification of skills certificate?

Name of Department: (e) Are there other problems?

Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: (f) Are there other problems?

Yes [ ] No [ ] (g) if other problems, name them - - - - Name of Department(s) 4.
Status of Employment laws needed to protectworkers from arbitrary or unfair treatment and to ensure efficient contracting between employers and workers, for example; (a) Are there problems with the flexibility of hiring and firing workers?

Yes [ ] No [ ] If Yes, list the problems e.g.

Cannot terminate because of unions Yes [ ] No [ ] - Cannot terminate because Ministry of Labour blocks action Yes [ ] No [ ] - - - - (b) Are the working hours satisfactory?
Yes [ ] No [ ] If No, List the problems Name of Department(s): 3 - - - - (c) Are the regulations for redundancy in need of modernisation?

Yes [ ] No [ ] If yes, list the problems - - - - Name of Department(s): Company Establishment 1.
List the most important obstacles to starting a business in St Kitts and Nevis (a) No [ ] Too many procedures Yes [ ] Name of Department: (b) No [ ] Name of Department: (c) No [ ] Name of Department: Takes too much time Yes [ ] Is too expensive Yes [ ] (d) Are there other, namely Name of Department: 4 2.

Registering of a business?


What are the issues related to (a) No [ ] Name of Department: (b) No [ ] Name of Department: (c) No [ ] Name of Department: Too many procedures Yes [ ] Takes too much time Yes [ ] Is too expensive Yes [ ] (d) Other, namely Name of Department: 3. procedures problems?
(a) No [ ] Name of Department: (b) No [ ] Name of Department: (c) No [ ] Name of Department: (d) No [ ] Name of Department: (e) No [ ] Name of Department: What are some of the post registration Tax registration Yes [ ] Social Security registration Yes [ ] Trade licensing Yes [ ] Sector specific licenses Yes [ ] Construction permits Yes [ ] 5 (f) No [ ] Name of Department: (g) No [ ] Name of Department: Health permits Yes [ ] Other permits Yes [ ] 6 (h) i.

No [ ] Name of Department: ii.


No [ ] Name of Department: iii.

No [ ] Name of Department: Connection to: Water Yes [ ] Sewerage Yes [ ] Fixed telephone line Yes [ ] (i) Other, namely Name of Department: 4. real property a.

No [ ] Name of Department: b.


No [ ] Name of Department: c. No [ ] Name of Department: d. No [ ] Name of Department: What are the issues with Registering Time Yes [ ] Cost Yes [ ] Procedural complexity Yes [ ] Administrative inefficiencies Yes [ ] e. Other, namely Name of Department: 7 5.

No [ ] Is there a one-stop window?

Yes [ ] If yes, is it functioning?

Yes [ ] No [ ] If no, what would be some of the considerations to establish a one stop-window?

8 6.

Property Rights?

a.


Time Name of Department: Are there issues related to Intellectual Yes [ ] No [ ] Yes [ ] No [ ] b.

Cost Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: c. Procedural complexity Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: d. Administrative inefficiencies Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: e. Other, namely Name of Department: 7.
Protection of investors Name of Department: More specifically: o Are there issues regarding the Yes [ ] No [ ] dimensions of investor protection: approval and transparency of related party transactions (extent of disclosure index) No [ ] Yes [ ] Name of Department: liability of Company Directors for self-dealing (extent of Director liability index) Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: shareholders’ ability to obtain corporate documents before and during litigation (ease of shareholder suits index).
Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: Other, namely 9 10 Trading Across Border 1.

Are there issues related to the Free Movement of Goods?

Yes [ ] No [ ] If yes, what are these?

a.

Time Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: b.

Cost Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: c. Procedural complexity Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: d. Administrative inefficiencies Yes [ ] No [ ] Name of Department: e. Other, namely Name of Department: 2. improve Trade Facilitation?

What would be some of the steps to 3.


What are your views about the required documentation and procedures to complete transactions at customs and other regulatory agencies as well as at the port?

4.

What are your views about the logistical aspects, includingthe time and cost of inland transport?

11 12 5.

What are your views about thetime and cost (excluding tariffs) associated with exporting and importing by sea transport (and the number of documents necessary to complete the transaction).

6.
6.

7. procedures?

Infrastructure?

What are your views about the Border What are your views about the Provision of Services 1.

What are the problems which you face in the case of free movement of services?

a. providers Name of Department: b.
No [ ] Name of Department: c. Name of Department: d. Associations: Name of Department: Lack of Certification of Yes [ ] No [ ] service Lack of Domestic regulations Yes [ ] Lack of harmonisation of qualifications Yes [ ] No [ ] Varying Standards Among Professional Yes [ ] No [ ] 13 e. (formalized by Law) Name of Department: f. Licensing requirements: Name of Department: g. Granting Institutions: Name of Department: h. codes Name of Department: i. avoidance of double taxation Name of Department: j.
Name of Department: k. No [ ] Name of Department: l. General 1.

Agency/Departmental collaboration Further explanation: Absence of Professional Boards Yes [ ] No [ ] Re-registration/Registration and Yes [ ] No [ ] Lack of Accreditation of Degree Yes [ ] No [ ] Lack of harmonisation Yes [ ] No [ ] for building Taxation Issues - Withholding Tax: and Yes [ ] No [ ] of Movement Yes [ ] No [ ] Equipment/Supplies Immigration Issues Yes [ ] Other, namely Are there issues with Inter- Yes [ ] No [ ] 14 2.
Are there issues with access to information Yes [ ] No [ ] Further explanation: … 3.

4. taxes - (the taxes and mandatory contributions that a company must pay in a given year) Are there problems with the Payment of and contributions.
Indicators No [ ] No [ ] a. b. c. d. Administrative burden of paying taxes Yes [ ] No [ ] The time involved Yes [ ] Total tax rate Yes [ ] Other, namely the enforcing of contracts - (how public institutions function in the case of a commercial dispute) the problems with What are (a) (b) (c) (d) lawsuit between two (2) domestic businesses.

between two (2) domestic businesses.


The timeof resolving a commercial Yes [ ] No [ ] Costof resolving a commercial lawsuit Yes [ ] No [ ] Procedural complexity of resolving a commercial lawsuit between two (2) domestic businesses.

No [ ] Yes [ ] Other, namely 15 SMART business regulations as defined by Doing Business?
(Doing Business 2013 – World Bank) STREAMLINED —regulations that accomplish the desired outcome in the most efficient way MEANINGFUL —regulations that have a measurable positive impact in facilitating interactions in the marketplace ADAPTABLE —regulations that adapt to changes in the environment RELEVANT —regulations that are proportionate to the problem they are designed to solve TRANSPARENT —regulations that are clear and accessible to anyone who needs to use them 16