São Tomé and Príncipe Threshold Program

The Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) $7.4 million threshold program with the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe is focused on improving their performance on the policy areas measured by MCC’s Fiscal Policy and Business Start-up eligibility indicators. Specifically, program will help the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe to improve its performance on the Fiscal Policy indicator by increasing revenue as a result of improved tax and customs administration and enforcement. It also seeks to improve performance on the Days to Start a Business and Cost of Starting a Business indicators by streamlining business registration procedures.

  • Signed:
    November 9, 2007
  • Total Grant Value: $7,362,426
  • Draft legislation and identify administrative procedures necessary to streamline business registration, to include the establishment of a “one-stop shop” for business registration and other regulatory reforms;
  • Develop recommendations for implementation of new business registration procedures;
  • Draft work procedures and recommendations for organizational restructuring required to implement new business registration legislation.

Modernize the Customs Service by:

  • conducting an assessment of all facilities,
  • upgrading Customs Service software by installing ASYCUDA World,
  • analyzing and supporting implementation of new legislation and regulations,
  • conducting training activities,
  • establishing a customs cooperation council along with the local trade community to encourage compliance,
  • providing support for entry into the World Customs Organization, and
  • providing basic inspection, communications and transport equipment

Enhance customs operations and procedures; and enhance professionalism in the Customs Service by:

  • implementing procedures to limit discretionary actions,
  • developing and implementing a Customs Code of Ethics and Conduct,
  • establishing, and providing training for, an Ethics Council in the Ministry of Planning and Finance.
  • Provide technical assistance to develop and implement new tax legislation and regulations
  • Improve the integrity of the taxpayer registration system; and
  • Strengthen the taxpayer accounting system.
  • Establish information technology infrastructure to connect ministries in order to identify unregistered taxpayers and non-filers;
  • Improve collection procedures and management;
  • Provide technical assistance to improve auditing procedures; and
  • Improve the ability of tax officials to conduct on-site canvasses, audits and collections activities.

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Country Scorecards

2013 EN
2012 OLD NEW
2011 EN FR PT SP
2009 EN FR PT SP

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