Public Private DialogueThe PSFU Experience

by

Gideon Badagawa Director, Policy Advocacy

A presentation to the PPD WorkshopDakar Senegal3rd April 2008

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Mandate of PSFUPolicy

Advocacy

Forum for

dialogue

Capacity

Building

Policy research and advocacy for the Uganda private sector

Provide a forum for policy

dialogue with government

Capacity building for the private sector

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Partnerships in PPD

Development Partners

Government: Public–Private Partnerships

PSFU MembersPSFU Civil Society

(NGO Forum, UDN)

Private-Private Partnerships

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Board Committee on Policy and Action PSFU Policy Committees

PSFU Members (Sectors, Associations, Firms)

Manufacturing

Agriculture

Services Tourism

Consultations within PSFU and the private sector

Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

BUDS-EDSBUDS-ERT

Trade

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Rationale for the Committees To provide a forum for To provide a forum for constructiveconstructive dialogue with dialogue with

governmentgovernment To articulate the concerns of the private sector To articulate the concerns of the private sector

and monitor implementation of government and monitor implementation of government policiespolicies

To influence policy from the private sector eyeTo influence policy from the private sector eye

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An Example of the Consultative Process: Participation in the Budget process

National Activity (Oct-Dec every year)National Activity (Oct-Dec every year) Budget Sector Working Groups (SWGs)Budget Sector Working Groups (SWGs) Mobilisation of Private Sector to participate in the discussions Mobilisation of Private Sector to participate in the discussions – use of

champions SWG Budget Framework Papers prepared SWG Budget Framework Papers prepared SWG Retreat organisedSWG Retreat organised Harmonisation of BFP for discussion and endorsement by CabinetHarmonisation of BFP for discussion and endorsement by Cabinet Development of Budget strategy Development of Budget strategy Public Expenditure Review (PER) Meeting Public Expenditure Review (PER) Meeting

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Key Outputs over the past one year 1 Annual Platform For Action Policy Document 5 position papers on pension sector reforms, counterfeiting,

inland port, Agricultural finance, Mortgage Bill 14 Policy updates on transport, energy, agriculture, counterfeits,

Tourism, PIRT and competitiveness forum 3 Research reports on the National Business Register, National

Firm Survey and Impact of the Energy Crisis on Firms in Uganda 7 policy briefs on Agrochemical Input Regulation, Industrial

Policy, Standards and Standards Related Strategy, National Export Strategy, MSME Policy and Financial Markets Development

2 Background papers on tourism and MSMEs 5 sector briefs on fish, flower, tourism and coffee 2 semi-annual cost of doing business comparisons in EA

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Key Achievements Quarterly meetings with HE and Government officialsQuarterly meetings with HE and Government officials

Squashing of planned Inland Port MonopolySquashing of planned Inland Port Monopoly Deferment of an 8% increase in cost of doing business due to the national Deferment of an 8% increase in cost of doing business due to the national

health insurance bill health insurance bill 62 Billion Shillings to mitigate shock in electricity tariffs62 Billion Shillings to mitigate shock in electricity tariffs Zero-Rating of diesel for industrial generatorsZero-Rating of diesel for industrial generators Zero-rating of raw materials in the EAC Customs Union Zero-rating of raw materials in the EAC Customs Union

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Annual Public Expenditure Reviews (PER) Quarterly Parliamentary committee meetingsPost Budget meetings with Minister of Finance

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Some Successes for PSFUFiscal policy reformsFiscal policy reforms Reforms in the URAReforms in the URA Tax Appeals Tribunal establishedTax Appeals Tribunal established Waiver of tax on raw materials Waiver of tax on raw materials Tax relief under the EAC Customs Union Tax relief under the EAC Customs Union Tax waiver on Solar Equipment and Accessories Tax waiver on Solar Equipment and Accessories

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Some Successes for PSFU cntdOther reformsOther reforms Measures to resolve the power crisis agreedMeasures to resolve the power crisis agreed Upgrading of waterways, road and rail infrastructureUpgrading of waterways, road and rail infrastructure Pronouncement on Pension reforms Pronouncement on Pension reforms Streamlining of Public Procurement Streamlining of Public Procurement Institutional support to UNBSInstitutional support to UNBS Financial sector reformsFinancial sector reforms

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Some Successes for PSFU - cntd Support to the agricultural sector announcedSupport to the agricultural sector announced Tourism: Upcountry airfields are being upgraded Tourism: Upcountry airfields are being upgraded

to make domestic air transport more efficientto make domestic air transport more efficient Parliament now publishing legislative agenda for Parliament now publishing legislative agenda for

public information and comments public information and comments National Planning Authority established National Planning Authority established