2011年-世界发展银行全球_Enterprise_Surveys___Guyana_Country_Profile_2010_15页_833kb

Guyana Country Profile 2010 Summary

Core Content Overview

The Guyana Country Profile 2010 is part of the Enterprise Surveys conducted by the World Bank and its partner IFC. These surveys aim to assess the business environment and its impact on firm productivity and performance across various sectors. The report covers key indicators related to corruption, regulations, taxes, business licensing, infrastructure, trade, crime and informality, finance, and innovation and workforce.

Main Topics and Key Indicators

1. Business Environment Obstacles

• The business environment in Guyana is marked by several challenges that affect firm operations and growth.
• Top 10 Constraints: Firms in Guyana report significant obstacles, including corruption, inefficient regulations, and delays in obtaining infrastructure services.
• Top 3 Constraints by Firm Size: Large, medium, and small firms face different levels of constraints, with large firms reporting more issues in obtaining permits and licenses.

2. Average Firm

• The average firm in Guyana has been in operation for about 24.1 years.
• Female Participation:
  • 17.7% of firms have a female top manager.
  • 58.3% of firms have female participation in ownership.
• Ownership Structure:
  • 80.2% of firms are privately domestic.
  • 18.2% are privately foreign.
  • 0.6% are government/state owned.
  • 1.0% are other forms of ownership.

3. Infrastructure

• Electricity:
  • Average 10.7 power outages per month.
  • 2.8% of sales are lost due to power outages.
  • 36.9 days average delay in obtaining an electrical connection.
• Water Supply:
  • 6.2 water shortages per month.
  • Average 18.6 hours of water shortage per month.
  • 19.6 days delay in obtaining a water connection.
• Telephone Connections:
  • 30.2 days average delay in obtaining a mainline telephone connection.

4. Trade

• Exporter Firms: 33.9% of firms export directly or indirectly.
• Foreign Inputs: 81.8% of firms use foreign material inputs or supplies.
• Customs Delays:
  • 11.5 days to clear direct exports.
  • 19.2 days to clear imports.
• Export Losses:
  • 0.1% loss due to theft.
  • 0.3% loss due to breakage or spoilage.

5. Regulations, Taxes, and Business Licensing

• Corruption Indicators:
  • Graft Index: 9.3% of firms were asked or expected to pay a bribe for public services.
  • Gifts to Tax Inspectors: 4.6% of firms expect to give gifts during meetings with tax inspectors.
  • Gifts for Government Contracts: 0.0% of firms expect to give gifts.
  • Gifts for Construction Permits: 5.5% of firms expect to give gifts.
  • Gifts for Import Licenses: 11.4% of firms expect to give gifts.
  • Gifts for Operating Licenses: 11.4% of firms expect to give gifts.
• Days to Obtain Permits:
  • 15.0 days for an import license.
  • 65.4 days for a construction-related permit.
  • 22.4 days for an operating license.
• Government Interaction:
  • 11.5% of senior management time is spent dealing with government regulations.
  • 3.6 average visits or meetings with tax officials.

6. Corruption

• Corruption is a significant obstacle, with firms often required to make unofficial payments to public officials.
• The Graft Index is used to measure the proportion of times firms are asked or expected to pay a bribe when applying for public services, permits, or licenses.

7. Crime and Informality

• Court System Perception: 31.5% of firms believe the court system is fair, impartial, and uncorrupted.
• Security Costs: 3.0% of sales are spent on security.
• Losses from Crime: 1.0% of sales are lost due to theft, robbery, vandalism, and arson.
• Formal Registration: 81.7% of firms are formally registered when they start operations.

8. Finance

• Internal Finance for Investment: 55.8% of firms rely on internal funds.
• Bank Finance for Investment: 21.6% of firms use bank financing.
• External Working Capital: 49.9% of firms use external financing for working capital.
• Collateral Requirements: 202.2% of the loan amount is required as collateral.
• Bank Loans/Line of Credit: 50.5% of firms have access to bank loans or lines of credit.
• Bank Accounts: 100.0% of firms have checking or savings accounts.

9. Innovation and Workforce

• Quality Certifications: 29.5% of firms have internationally recognized quality certifications.
• External Audits: 90.4% of firms have their annual financial statements reviewed by external auditors.
• Website Usage: 46.1% of firms use their own websites.
• Email Communication: 92.5% of firms use email to communicate with clients/suppliers.
• Workforce Composition:
  • 12.8 average number of temporary workers.
  • 80.2 average number of permanent, full-time workers.
  • 39.1% of full-time workers are female.

Key Findings and Main Points

• Guyana is classified as a lower middle-income country in the Latin America & Caribbean region.
• The business environment in Guyana is less favorable compared to the regional average in several aspects, including corruption, infrastructure delays, and business licensing processes.
• Firms in Guyana face more challenges in obtaining permits and licenses, particularly large firms, which experience longer delays.
• Corruption remains a major issue, with 11.4% of firms expected to give gifts for import licenses and 11.4% for operating licenses.
• Infrastructure deficiencies increase operational costs and reduce firm productivity, especially for small and medium firms.
• Trade is an important activity, but customs delays and transport risks affect firm performance.
• Finance in Guyana is characterized by a high reliance on internal finance, with external financing being less common.
• Innovation and workforce show moderate levels, with a notable presence of female participation in the workforce.

Conclusion

The Enterprise Surveys provide a comprehensive overview of the business environment in Guyana, highlighting areas that require reform, particularly in corruption, infrastructure, and business licensing. The data also reveals gender participation in firm management and ownership, as well as the structure of the private sector. These insights are crucial for policymakers and researchers aiming to improve the business climate and promote sustainable development in Guyana.