As part of the follow-up to the Côte d'Ivoire-European Union political dialogue, a tripartite dialogue between the government-private sector-European Union was held on Tuesday 12 November at the Representation of the European Union in Côte d'Ivoire, on the business and investment climate in Côte d'Ivoire. This framework for exchanges had been recommended and is part of the "Investing Together" project. On the agenda of this trilogue, in point one, the recommendation of the book of the European Chamber of Commerce, Eurocham in particular on the high cost of the approach and the incentive system, the low rate of banking, point raised by the Union of Large Industrial Enterprises of Côte d'Ivoire (UGECI), the limited access to the Internet, mentioned by Eurocham and concerning governance, the General Confederation of Enterprises of Côte d'Ivoire (CGECI) has raised the problem of the coordination of the tax audits carried out, by denouncing the high tax burden, particularly against certain companies. Point two of this order concerns, among other things, the recommendation of the monitoring and alert unit on the business and investment climate, in particular the Compliance Verification Program (Voc), raised by the private sector through Ugeci, the eco-fee including the national program explaining the steps from the recovery of equipment to its treatment / reclamation. The transfer of foreign currency and repatriation of export earnings with regard to the measures to be considered to facilitate formalities with finex for the payment of their non-resident benefit, a concern raised by the CGECI and finally the management of industrial zones with regard to the fees and services available, point contained in the Eurocham White Paper and the miscellaneous. Took part in this first framework of exchanges, H.E.M. Jobst Von Kirchmann, Ambassador of the European Union to Côte d'Ivoire, Marc Alberola, CEO Eranov, President of EUROCHAM, Jean Louis Menudier de UGECI, Ahmed CISSE, Administrator of the CGECI, The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Albert Kouatelay...

Diagnosis of the high cost of the CSR approach

The price of environmental and social impact studies amounts to several million francs. This sum, which represents a significant cost for large companies, is a barrier for SMEs.

Lack of incentives for CSR policies

The existing exemptions listed in the 2019 EUROCHAM White Paper are subject to certain conditions and do not cover all investments made by companies as part of their CSR approach. The majority of the amounts invested in the context of social responsibility are subject to taxation, even if some of these actions fall within the framework of actions, commonly carried out by the State (construction of schools, the support of teachers by companies, the supply of pumps etc). However, according to the composite index to assess according to the conditions that promote and encourage the development of CSR, Côte d'Ivoire's position in 2018 is 70 out of 195 countries.

At the Level of Finance

The diagnosis reveals limited access to banking, the rate of which, according to BECEAO indicators, is estimated at only 21.5%.

At the level of ICT limited access to the internet given the high price

It was denounced a limited access to the internet, given the high price. It appears that the subscription is more expensive in Côte d'Ivoire than in many African countries (Ghana, Senegal, Cape Verde, Cameroon, etc.).

It appears from the diagnosis made and contained in the EUROCHAM White Paper, that a fixed subscription represents 26.4% of the gross national income per capita (GNI/H) in Côte d'Ivoire. This pricing can be explained by an infrastructure development policy that has made it possible to increase access and offer new services. However, it is still excessive in terms of the incomes of the inhabitants (exclusion of the most vulnerable populations and impact on social inequalities. The objective of broadening the tax base is to collect new taxpayers (now in the informal sector) and less to maintain a high level of taxation or overtax identifiable operators.

The position of Côte d'Ivoire, according to the IDI index, a composite index calculated from 11 indicators concerning access, use and skills related to the use of the Internet, the position of Côte d'Ivoire is 131st out of 176 countries in 2017.

Lack of transparency in governance

At the level of governance, says the EUROCHAM report, at the level of tax audits, there is "a lack of coordination and transparency of the various tax audits". Something that is not done to improve the business climate and therefore encourage investment.