Togo shares its post-covid recovery strategy during a forum that regrouped least developed countries

Public Management

Tuesday, 21 September 2021 16:49

Togo shares its post-covid recovery strategy during a forum that regrouped least developed countries

(Togo First) - Togo presented its post-Covid-19 recovery strategy to the international actors of the LDC (Least Developed Countries) Group, during a ministerial meeting last weekend. The country was represented by Sandra Ablamba Johnson, Minister Secretary-General of the Togolese Presidency.

“The Covid-19 crisis is unprecedented in both scope and suddenness. Estimates show it cut the GDP by 4 percentage points (from 5.3% in 2019 to 1.8% in 2020),” Johnson said.

That is why, added the official, Togo adjusted its development strategy, by adopting a new government roadmap covering the 2020-2025 period and launching a Response-Resilience-Recovery strategy to contain the virus, ensure growth, and achieve the 4.8% growth forecast for the year.

Moreover, the country will keep fostering investment in high-potential sectors - a strategy marked by the launch of the PIA and solar plants.

During the recently held international forum, Lomé asked for a greater international mobilization for poor countries - especially regarding access to vaccines - as financing to LDCs “has dropped drastically.”

“This is the place to solicit once again the support of the United Nations for the mobilization of international partners and financial institutions through the reallocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) to support the recovery of African economies and universal access to vaccines,” the Secretary-General declared.

There are currently 46 countries falling under the LDC category and most of them are in Africa. This category was created in 1971 by the UN.

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.