BUSINESS CLIMATE IN NIGER
Today Niger knows a political stability that has gradually allowed the return to a normal business environment and the emergence of a strong private sector. A number of measures have been adopted facilitate and promote investment in Niger, including
1) Adoption in 1997 of a Declaration of National Policy for the Support of the Private Sector. The six (6) principal elements of the policy are as follows :
-Improvement of the private enterprise environment;
-Improvement of access for and involvement of business leaders;
-Support for the creation and the development of micro, small and mid-size business;
-Support for the privatization of public enterprise;
-Support for regional economic integration; and,
-Development of those sectors which present the greatest economical potential.
2) Reforms and other measures adopted, include the following:
• Elimination of almost all monopolies;
• Liberalization of marketing and pricing of agricultural products;
• Adoption of legislation on competition and prices;
• Adoption of legislation on normalization and standards;
• Liberalization of trade through the elimination of licenses and of other non-tariff obstacles;
• Elimination of the customs rights on exports
• Harmonization of taxes and procedures within the West African Economic and Monetary Union;
• Application of measures to encourage investment (Investment Code, Trade Code, Oil Industry Code, Mining Code, Labour Code);
• Organization of the Chamber of Commerce, the Agricultural Council, the Industrial Cpomcil, and and the Council of Artisans of Niger
• Creation of an Investment Promotion Centre;
• Creation of a Business Creation Formalities Centre;
• Creation of a National Investors Council; and,
• Launching of a project for the promotion of agro pastorales exports.
