1 / 16

The Mozambique Experience Dr Pascoal Mocumbi

The Mozambique Experience Dr Pascoal Mocumbi. CAR Leadership Seminar, Bangui, December 12-13 2005. Outline. Context: from a war-torn country – the end of a dream – to a “success story” Post-war reconstruction and reforms Implementing change and reforms. Context: from a worn-torn country….

kiona
Télécharger la présentation

The Mozambique Experience Dr Pascoal Mocumbi

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Mozambique ExperienceDr Pascoal Mocumbi CAR Leadership Seminar, Bangui, December 12-13 2005

  2. Outline • Context: from a war-torn country – the end of a dream – to a “success story” • Post-war reconstruction and reforms • Implementing change and reforms

  3. Context: from a worn-torn country… • 1975: Euphoria of independence • International solidarity movement – racism & apartheid • 1980-1987: destabilisation increases • End 1980s: war spreads to entire country, Mozambique becomes one of the world’s poorest countries

  4. Context: from a worn-torn contd... • 1987: Economic and Social Rehabilitation Program (ESRP), to address the fundamental causes of economic crisis • October 4, 1992: peace agreement signed – triggered by realization that without war, the financial situation of Mozambique would be considerably better (like CAR – a rich country)

  5. …to a “success story” • One of fastest growing economies of the world • Peace and stability maintained since 1992 • 3 cycles of general elections (Presidential and parliamentary) • Decentralization and community participation

  6. Transition under UN supervision • National reconstruction and resettlement program adopted • Clearance of landmines • Reintegration of demobilised soldiers • Preparation of elections

  7. Post-war reconstruction • Following 1994 elections: 5-year program centred on poverty reduction adopted, focusing on reconciliation, national reconstruction and economic recovery • Priorities: - Maintaining peace and political stability - Sound macroeconomic framework - Recovery of major roads

  8. Post-war reconstruction (contd.) • Adjustment of State institutions • Public sector reform - professionalism of public administration - combat corruption - increase budget revenues (introduction of VAT, customs reform) • Improvement of communication channels and accountability between gvt. and society

  9. Implementing change and reforms • Poverty reduction through focus on increasing agricultural production • Promotion of reconciliation through effective management of potential conflicts • Trade reforms opening up the economy internationally – substantial increase in foreign investment • Mobilising assistance from international community and accountability

  10. Lessons learned: Crucial factors • Strong political commitment and leadership • Clear vision and strategy responding to challenges identified – staying the course • Prioritisation – addressing most urgent needs first • Ability of leadership to build consensus in decision-making process – involvement of different groups of opinion • Appropriate interface between policy makers and implementers • Strengthening state capacity for revenue collection

  11. Constraints and challenges • Very weak human capital base • Inadequate infrastructure • Tightening macroeconomic constraints • Structural reforms take time

  12. Solutions • Initiate change while managing emergency • Consultation on “what to change and what for?” to build consensus on principles and “rules of the game” • Lead by example – showing what is accepted behavior

  13. Mozambique Customs Reform • Why Reforms? - evidence of internal weakness capacity to collect revenues and control trade into and out of the country - civil society criticism on lack of gvt transparence in customs operations, poor management - domestic industry complained that could not compete with smuggles on domestic market

  14. Customs reforms - Objectives • Combat corruption and smuggling: smuggling rings were firmly entrenched and it would be difficult to break out from within • Increase budget revenue: customs revenues were on a downward trend since 1992 and accelerated in 1994 • Modernize customs services • Facilitate legitimate trade

  15. Strategy – create a technical unit • Main components: - Human resources - Legislation and procedures - Organizational profile - Infrastructures and equipments

  16. Outcomes to Date • Efficiency of collection improved • Expressive growth of fiscal revenues • Trade facilitation: clearance times reduced • Modern institutions managed by nationals • A new customs Code issued in 1998 on the customs e-network and answers to frequently asked questions from importers and exporters.

More Related