Project Leader at the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, Océane Seuleiman, has highlighted the benefits of an online business registry in Dominica.
Dominica was recognized as the first country in the region to launch phase two of the program.
Speaking at the launching of the second phase of the project, at the Fort Young Hotel, on Wednesday, Seuleiman stated that the initiative would promote ease of access, national and regional integration, transparency, and security for stakeholders.
“We will have ease to access of information on registered companies and other businesses online, the procedure will be integrated at the national level, which is very important… regional integration, which is very important… transparency, and maybe the most important, security,” she said.
She noted that on average, the time taken to register a company has been reduced from twelve days to five days, and the procedure has been reduced from five days to four days.
However, Seuleiman expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of registration.
She listed the absence of adequate regulations to allow for more efficient business entry procedure, entrepreneurs working in an informal economy, lack of IT solutions to facilitate business entry, and lack of knowledge-sharing space as some of the common causes of failure online business registration.
Meantime, Justice Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, commented that while the progression of the online business registry is commendable, there is room for improvement.
“I have been advised, based on the information that is before me, that it takes an approximation of time to the tune of six days to get a company registered. That is still too long… I’m not going to give you any credit yet, until we get it to one working day, or a few hours…” he articulated. “While I applaud the efforts, it is my obligation to ensure that the people that I represent get the best service.”
Blackmoore stated that he is confident that this objective will be achieved.
Excuse me Mr. castro,
When I heard PM. Owen Authar said that Dominicans are less educated than the rest of the region I personally took offence, although I knew that he wasn’t referring to one having a first Degree, a second Degree or even a Dr. Rate, he was merely referring to our mannerisms and the way in which we view the tangible things, and more so the way in which we keep our Country with the basic of development and what is more sad about it is that Dominicans a satisfied and very happy about that
You telling me a man saying to u that u must not built a Jet airport not before 30 yrs. and u are even clapping ur hands in satisfaction!
Please make no apologies for Owen Arthur for he never made such a statement. Provide the exact quotes. Considering its tiny population, Dominicans are very well represented in areas of academic achievement; what is sorely lacking in Dominica is basic business skills. Even those who are considered successful at home are woeful when it comes to reliability and positive human interaction. Quick registration is good, but delivery of goods and services must be improved 100 per cent to attract business clients and investors. We live in the age of abundant information and instant gratification so we must step up.
“I have been advised, based on the information that is before me, that it takes an approximation of time to the tune of six days to get a company registered. That is still too long… I’m not going to give you any credit yet, until we get it to one working day, or a few hours…”
What Mr saying nuh, what about proper background checks and so forth.
I just recently registered a business in the US it took two weeks. This are a lot of gears behind the process that have to be verified in order to prevent fraud or duplicate business names and entries.
Dominica was the first in the OECS to implement the 4% Stablization levy. Dominica was also the first to implement Asycuda, not because Dominica is the best, it is because Dominicas leaders are FOOLISH and used as trial guinea pigs before other OECS countries. “We will have ease to access of information on registered companies and other businesses online.. Whatever happened to private business and privacy laws. Dominicans are not in control of there destiny, they are being told what to do with foolish leaders with no vision.
Amen and Amen.