SPARK Expert Meeting 2014

Transcription

1 SPARK Expert Meeting 2014 Improving the Business Environment in Conflict Affected Regions Humanity House, The Hague 26 June 2014 Simon White IGNITE! SPARK CONFERENCE Youth Entrepreneurship Development in Conflict Affected Environments KEYNOTE SPEAKER PROFILES Mustafa Abdul Jalil Sagizly Mustafa Sagizly is the head of the of The Warriors Affairs Commission in Libya. He was a Leaders and members of command of the revolutionary forces of the 17 th of February R Sagizly is also the member of the higher committee for integration of Ex-Combatants, un Minister of Libya. Dick Scherjon Dick Scherjon is the Senior Board Advisor at Rabobank Nederland since Prior to this

2 Why business advocacy? How can business advocacy be advanced? What roles can NGOs play?

3 Why Business Advocacy? Why business? Economic roots to conflict Economic expectations post-conflict ( peace dividend ) Public and private sector development share many common goals nation building Why business advocacy? Business advocacy supports the role of the state Highlights the complementary role of the private sector Presents a working model for government and business interaction

4 Poor Investment Climate and BE Barriers Business Environment BE Reforms High cost of doing business Lower costs of doing business High risk Low levels of competition and investment Reduced risk Higher levels of competition and investment Business Advocacy provides a unique and essential perspective on how this affects private investment and development

5 Transforming the Private Sector Post-Conflict: Informality Low Investment Predatory Enterprises

6 How can Business Advocacy be Advanced? Business advocacy continuum: Consultation Public-Private Dialogue Business Advocacy Business advocacy represents a shift from consultation and dialogue it is an important element in democracy: Significant in development of conflict-affected counties; demonstrating pluralism and building trust Promotes accountability in government

7 Business Membership Organisations Typically have a mandate to speak on behalf of their members Struggle to survive on membership fees alone Capacity constraints Many BMOs No such thing as one voice Competition among BMOs Are led by elites who benefit from the status quo Typically focus on larger firms Typically fewer women and young members

8 What Roles can NGOs Play? Facilitation Opening up systems more inclusion Documenting and monitoring agreements Building trust Generating evidence Building the capacity of BMOs Supporting the establishment of sustainable dialogue and accountability systems Monitoring progress and tracking change

9 Business advocacy is about balancing the power and authority of government, not undermining it Can help to break down government and business elites (but not without a fight) Danger: business environment can be seen as too adversarial (creating suspicion and distrust)

10 SPARK Expert IGNITE! Meeting SPARK CONFERENCE 2014 Youth Entrepreneurship Development in Conflict Affected Environments Improving the Business Environment in Conflict Affected Regions BREAK OUT SESSION KEYNOTE SPEAKER PROFILES Mustafa Abdul Jalil Sagizly Mustafa Sagizly is the head of the of The Warriors Affairs Commission in Libya. He was a Leaders and members of command of the revolutionary forces of the 17 th of February R Simon White Sagizly is also the member of the higher committee for integration of Ex-Combatants, un Minister of Libya. Dick Scherjon Dick Scherjon is the Senior Board Advisor at Rabobank Nederland since Prior to this

11 How do you run an advocacy campaign for an inclusive and enabling business environment What added value do NGOs have in this? How do Business Member Organisations do this? What is the role of government, media, international organisations and multinational companies?

12 Consultation A process initiated by government to get input or comment on a specific issue, topic or proposal Business responds Dialogue (Public-Private Dialogue, PPD) An exchange that seeks to offer solutions to government and looks for areas of convergence, mutual understanding and relationships with officials who are willing to listen Government creates the platform Business can go beyond response can bring new topics Advocacy An effort to influence public policy in an open and transparent manner Goes beyond dialogue by building pressure for reform throughout society and persists as the private sector presses its case from one conversation to the next.

13 Five Steps of Business Advocacy SOURCE: Kenya Business Advocacy Fund (Irwin Grayson Associates)

14 IDENTIFY ISSUES UNDERSTAND ISSUES DEVELOP RESPONSES & PROPOSALS INFLUENCE POLICY MAKERS FOLLOW UP BMO members Government proposals Results of surveys and studies Generate evidence Understand the effect the issue has on business Identify the costs and compare with benefits Consider a series of possible responses Seek agreement on the most feasible and beneficial Identify the senior officials and ministers you need to influence Build alliances Work with the media Monitor progress Keep the pressure on Manage the process over time

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16 More than 300 business delegates attended the National Business Forum on 27 February 2014 in Kabul

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18 Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower Advocacy Agenda The private sector is the engine of growth in Botswana. Key priorities requiring Government attention are: 1. Improve trade and customs regulations 2. Adopt a more flexible approach to work permits for foreign investors and their families 3. Formulate a national spatial development framework 4. Improve service delivery to the business sector 5. Support the formalisation of informal businesses

19 Botswana Confederation of Commerce, Industry and Manpower Advocacy Strategy Strategy objectives 1. BOCCIM s business advocacy efforts are integrated into all its membership services 2. BOCCIM provides an authentic voice for business and its contributions improve the country s business environment and investment climate

20 BOCCIM Strategy Challenges Getting government to listen Ensuring business advocacy reflects the needs and aspirations of the entire business community Promoting transparency and accountability Keeping business people engaged Building an evidence base Distinguishing between short and long-term priorities and strategies Distinguishing between the different levels of advocacy in government structures

21 BOCCIM Strategy Principles Present evidence Engage the business community Recognising and supporting government reform efforts Moving from problems to solutions Hold government accountable Promote transparency [Would like to see: Promote competition]

22 BOCCIM Advocacy Strategies Streamlining PPD Mechanisms Building a Constituency Monitoring Government Preparing Case Studies Using Social Media Communicating Our Advocacy Agenda Exploring the options for a policy research and advocacy fund

23 What roles can NGOs play? Facilitation Opening up systems more inclusion Documenting and monitoring agreements Building trust Generating evidence Building the capacity of BMOs Supporting the establishment of sustainable dialogue and accountability systems

24 NGO Contribution ADVANTAGES /BENEFITS Can take a neutral position Can facilitate inclusion and higher levels of participation Can facilitate the formation of alliances and coalitions Can support the development of BMOs DISADVANTAGES/RISKS Has no mandate in the business community Can attempt to speak on behalf of the business community crowding out the authentic business voice

25 Other Actors MEDIA Communicate advocacy messages to a wider audience Promote government transparency and accountability Creates public platforms for debate and for monitoring reform efforts/progress DONORS Support the capacity building of MBOs and the design and implementation of advocacy strategies Coordinate to ensure PSD efforts are integrated and harmonised Support research and consensus efforts (BAF)

26 Business advocacy enfranchises those who have been on the outside and builds a sustained, mutually beneficial engagement between business and government