press releases
New PACRO Customer Service Center, With Assistance from U.S. Government, Will Drastically Cut Business Registration Time
LusakaNovember 9, 2006
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Prospective Zambian business owners will be able to register new businesses or file annual registration updates in a single day at the new, fully-automated Customer Service Center inaugurated on November 9 by the Patents and Companies Registration Office (PACRO) in Lusaka. The new facility, built with assistance from the U.S. Government, is part of the Zambia Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Threshold Project, a joint initiative of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
PACRO Registrar Mrs. Anessie Michael Banda-Bobo was joined by U.S. Ambassador Carmen Martinez, Acting Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati, and Secretary to the Treasury Evans Chibiliti, along with government and business community leaders, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new PACRO Center.
Because many Zambian companies fail to register and file annual updates, they lose access to valuable resources, such as bank services and technical assistance through government programs. Government estimates show that up to 80 percent of businesses initially fail to comply with annual registration update requirements.
Recognizing this problem, PACRO committed itself to streamlining the business registration and annual update process. In just four months, PACRO designed and implemented an Information Management System that will reduce the time required to register a company from two weeks or more to just one day. The Lusaka Customer Service Center, with a new facility and a fully trained customer service team, will make it easier and faster for new and existing businesses to register at a low cost and comply with annual update procedures. The transparent, automated process also reduces opportunities for corruption, with government fees clearly posted for each transaction. Information on the business registration process and forms are available on the PACRO website at www.pacro.org.zm.
“PACRO is committed to supporting business growth by improving our agency’s operational efficiency and reducing the time and cost of accessing our services for businesses,” stated Mrs. Banda-Bobo, PACRO Registrar. “These changes are part of an agency-wide process reengineering and computerization initiative that PACRO is currently undertaking to meet the needs of Zambia’s growing business community and comply with Zambian government policy on public service reform.”
“By removing administrative barriers to new business registration, PACRO is creating a more enabling and encouraging environment for much-needed business, trade and investment growth in Zambia,” remarked U.S. Ambassador Carmen Martinez. “The United States is a committed partner with Zambia to improving business expansion and economic development through the MCA Threshold Project.”
The Government of the Republic of Zambia, in partnership with the Millennium Challenge Corporation and USAID, has agreed to implement key reforms during a two-year period to demonstrate Zambia’s commitment to ruling justly and promoting economic freedom for its people. Through the MCA Threshold Project, Zambian government agencies are working to promote greater transparency and minimize opportunities for corruption, and reduce administrative barriers that prevent new business and investor activity, as well as increase the efficiency of border operations.
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