| Iraq: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Business Licensing and Regulation | ||
| Indicators | Score | |
| 70 | Are business licenses available to all citizens? | 63 |
| 71 | Are there transparent business regulatory requirements for basic health, environmental, and safety standards? | 100 |
| 72 | Does government effectively enforce basic health, environmental, and safety standards on businesses? | 25 |
Indicator and sub-Indicator Details
| 70 | Are business licenses available to all citizens? | |||||||
| 70a: In law, anyone may apply for a business license. | ||||||||
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Comments: Yes, provided applicants submit the proper documents to prove their financial competence. The Chamber of Commerce and the Union of Industrialists are responsible for granting these licenses. References: Interview with Mr. Sahib Ali, member of Iraq Chamber of Commerce, longstanding Iraqi contractor (London, Nov. 12, 2008).
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| 70b: In law, a complaint mechanism exists if a business license request is denied. | ||||||||
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Comments: The National Commission for Investment is supposed to inspect and grant or deny licenses. The Commission was established pursuant the Investment Law passed by the Iraqi Council of Representatives. A denied application could be appealed to the concerned ministry. Otherwise, the applicant could raise the issue in court against the state. References: [ LINK ]
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| 70c: In practice, citizens can obtain any necessary business license (i.e. for a small import business) within a reasonable time period. | ||||||||
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Comments: The Center for International Private Enterprise conducted a survey in which the majority of business owners said business licenses are obtainable but corruption mars the process. References: The Center for International Private Enterprise, [ LINK ].
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| 70d: In practice, citizens can obtain any necessary business license (i.e. for a small import business) at a reasonable cost. | ||||||||
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Comments: The Center for International Private Enterprise conducted a survey in which the majority of business owners said business licenses are obtainable but corruption mars the process. References: The Center for International Private Enterprise, [ LINK ].
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| 71 | Are there transparent business regulatory requirements for basic health, environmental, and safety standards? | |||||||
| 71a: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public health standards are transparent and publicly available. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: The investment law passed by the Council of Representatives in 2007, [ LINK ].
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| 71b: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public environmental standards are transparent and publicly available. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: The Investment Law passed by the Iraqi Council of Representatives in 2007. [ LINK ].
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| 71c: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public safety standards are transparent and publicly available. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: The Investment Law passed by the Iraqi Council of Representatives in 2007. [ LINK ]
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| 72 | Does government effectively enforce basic health, environmental, and safety standards on businesses? | |||||||
| 72a: In practice, business inspections by government officials to ensure public health standards are being met are carried out in a uniform and even-handed manner. | ||||||||
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Comments: References: Glanz, James, "Inspectors Find Rebuilt Projects Crumbling in Iraq," New York Times (April 29, 2007).
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| 72b: In practice, business inspections by government officials to ensure public environmental standards are being met are carried out in a uniform and even-handed manner. | ||||||||
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Comments: The sources discuss the lack of enforcement and efficiency of the Ministry of Health, which is responsible for environmental standards. References: Glanz, James, "Inspectors Find Rebuilt Projects Crumbling in Iraq," New York Times, [ LINK ] (April 29, 2007).
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| 72c: In practice, business inspections by government officials to ensure public safety standards are being met are carried out in a uniform and even-handed manner. | ||||||||
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Comments: In practice there no effective measures to ensure public safety standards. The Ministry of Heath is singled out as one of worst ministries as far as efficiency is concerned. References: Glanz, James, "Inspectors Find Rebuilt Projects Crumbling in Iraq," New York Times, [ LINK ] (April 29, 2007).
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