President Faure Gnassingbé officially launches PND

Economic governance

Monday, 04 March 2019 15:56

President Faure Gnassingbé officially launches PND

(Togo First) - Today, President Faure Gnassingbé officially launched the 2018-2022 National Development Plan. Present at the launching ceremony were eminent figures such as IFAD’s President, Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, Benin’s former Prime Minister, Lionel Zinsou, ETI group’s Managing Director, Ade Ayeyemi, Togolese Economist behind the “Entreprendre à Zéro Franc” concept, Samuel Mathey, and French economist, Patrick Sevaistre.

While lauding the many efforts made by his government, reflected in better economic indicators, the leader indicated that with the PND, the goal is “to preserve this progress and consolidate its foundation to advance even further and at the same time focus on redistributing wealth to the sons and daughters of Togo. This, because growth, according to President Gnassingbé, is valuable only when inclusive; and development is worthy only if it reaches the country’s most remote communities and all its homes.”

To ensure shared prosperity, “we must remain lucid and well assess the way ahead,” the President said.

“While external aid will act as catalysts in the process, contribution of citizens will also increase, because tax compliance is a main component in the realization of our PND,” he added. However, to engage taxpayers, authorities must show accountability in the process.

Actually, talking on behalf of PND beneficiaries, Komi Dovi Koudou, promoter of Natuthé Kinkeliba, requested accountability and transparency in the plan’s implementation.

The PND aims at creating 500,000 jobs by 2022 and achieving an annual growth of 6.6% over the period, peaking at 7.6% in 2022. Togo should raise CFA4,622 billion for its implementation. The private sector is expected to contribute 65% of this amount, about CFA3,000 billion.

Séna Akoda

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.