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2007 Assessment

Malawi: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Malawi: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Business Licensing and Regulation
Indicators		Score
67	Are business licenses available to all citizens?	88
68	Are there transparent business regulatory requirements for basic health, environmental, and safety standards?	67
69	Does government effectively enforce basic health, environmental, and safety standards on businesses?	25

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Are business licenses available to all citizens?

67a: In law, anyone may apply for a business license.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Business Licensing Act, Chapter 46 Part I Section 3 (1)

67b: In law, a complaint mechanism exists if a business license request is denied.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Business Licensing Act, Chapter 46, Part I Section 17

67c: In practice, citizens can obtain any necessary business license (i.e. for a small import business) within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: 1) Interview with Charles Thombozi, District commissioner, Sept. 12, 2007, Neno

2) Interview with H. Kayuni, lecturer, Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 12, 2007, Zomba

67d: In practice, citizens can obtain any necessary business license (i.e. for a small import business) at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: 1) Interview with Charles Thombozi, District commissioner, Sept. 12, 2007, Neno

2) Interview with H. Kayuni, lecturer, Department of Political and Administrative Studies, University of Malawi, Sept. 12, 2007, Zomba

Are there transparent business regulatory requirements for basic health, environmental, and safety standards?

68a: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public health standards are transparent and publicly available.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act, Part VIII Section 69

68b: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public environmental standards are transparent and publicly available.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: This is not applicable.

68c: In law, basic business regulatory requirements for meeting public safety standards are transparent and publicly available.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act, Part VIII Section 69

Does government effectively enforce basic health, environmental, and safety standards on businesses?

69a: 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.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: 1) William Jere, assistant Labor officer, Sept. 12, 2007, Zomba

2) Lewis Dzimbiri "The State and Industrial Resolutions in Malawi" PhD Thesis, Keele University, 2004

69b: 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.

Score:

100

Comments: Inspections are rarely done. In most cases, they are done based on complaints received from the public. The penalties for offenders are very soft.

References: 1) Moses Michael-Phiri "Counterfeits Flood Markets: Local Industry under Threat" Nation on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007

2)"Marketing Authorisation for Cofrid and Tumbocid Tablets Manufactured by MAC Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Kenya." The Daily Times, Press Release, Sept. 7, 2007

69c: 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.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: 1) Lewis Dzimbiri "The State and Industrial REsolutions in Malawi" PhD Thesis, Keele University, 2004

2) Interview with William Jere, assistant Labor officer, Sept. 12, 2007, Zomba