According to the Ministry of Trade and Tourism the one-stop-shop online business registration and licensing system (BRLS) will help speed, simplify, and reduce costs for businesses and entrepreneurs.
The launch was officiated by the Somaliland Trade and tourism minister Mahmud Hasan Sa’ad in the Capital Hargeisa where he revealed that “This reform is a result of a successful collaboration involving counterpart Government institutions, the private sector, and IFC.
A press statement from the ministry read
Somaliland Officially Launches Online Business Registration and Licensing Services
Today the June 29, 2022 the government of Somaliland, with support from IFC, officially launched an online one-stop-shop business registration and licensing system (BRLS) to speed, simplify, and reduce costs for businesses and entrepreneurs.
The new system, found at http://www.brls.govsomliland.org, is part of Somaliland’s wider strategy to strengthen its private sector and encourage economic growth and job creation. Reducing lengthy registration and licensing procedures will save businesses time and operational costs, especially smaller and informal businesses seeking to formalize their operations.
The Ministry of Trade and Tourism ran a seven-month pilot of the system (from December-2021 to June -2022) allowing it to be further enhanced and optimized ahead of a formal launch in June 29, 2022. The BRLS is being delivered by the Ministry of Trade in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Office of the Attorney General.
“We will now offer a world-class registration and licensing system to our business community in Somaliland,” Minister of Trade and Tourism, Hon. Muhamoud Hassan Sa’ad, said. “This reform is a result of a successful collaboration involving counterpart Government institutions, the private sector, and IFC. My Ministry is determined to offer fast and easy registration and licensing services to the private sector. I therefore urge our businesses, especially informal businesses, to take advantage of this resource to register and to comply with government licensing requirements.”
The web-based system is a one-stop-shop resource that allows entrepreneurs to register and apply for business licenses from their homes or offices, removing the need to visit the Ministry of Trade offices. BRLS will offer a range of services, including reserving a business name, registering a new business, and changing the particulars of an existing business.
Gokhan Akinci, Acting Practice Manager for IFC Creating Markets Advisory, said “The new online registration and licensing system is business-friendly and expected to lower costs for businesses and support entrepreneurs, especially local businesses, to establish their operations formally.”
Users can also access the system to obtain a tax identification number through its integration with the Ministry of Finance, close or wind up a business, acquire or renew business licenses, and search the registry’s business information database. Additionally, BRLS provides a variety of resources including relevant laws and regulations, online user guides, and information on registration and licensing fees and tariffs, among other resources.
The launch was officiated by the Somaliland Trade and tourism minister Mahmud Hasan Sa’ad in the Capital Hargeisa where he revealed that “This reform is a result of a successful collaboration involving counterpart Government institutions, the private sector, and IFC.
A press statement from the ministry read
Somaliland Officially Launches Online Business Registration and Licensing Services
Today the June 29, 2022 the government of Somaliland, with support from IFC, officially launched an online one-stop-shop business registration and licensing system (BRLS) to speed, simplify, and reduce costs for businesses and entrepreneurs.
The new system, found at http://www.brls.govsomliland.org, is part of Somaliland’s wider strategy to strengthen its private sector and encourage economic growth and job creation. Reducing lengthy registration and licensing procedures will save businesses time and operational costs, especially smaller and informal businesses seeking to formalize their operations.
The Ministry of Trade and Tourism ran a seven-month pilot of the system (from December-2021 to June -2022) allowing it to be further enhanced and optimized ahead of a formal launch in June 29, 2022. The BRLS is being delivered by the Ministry of Trade in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and Office of the Attorney General.
“We will now offer a world-class registration and licensing system to our business community in Somaliland,” Minister of Trade and Tourism, Hon. Muhamoud Hassan Sa’ad, said. “This reform is a result of a successful collaboration involving counterpart Government institutions, the private sector, and IFC. My Ministry is determined to offer fast and easy registration and licensing services to the private sector. I therefore urge our businesses, especially informal businesses, to take advantage of this resource to register and to comply with government licensing requirements.”
The web-based system is a one-stop-shop resource that allows entrepreneurs to register and apply for business licenses from their homes or offices, removing the need to visit the Ministry of Trade offices. BRLS will offer a range of services, including reserving a business name, registering a new business, and changing the particulars of an existing business.
Gokhan Akinci, Acting Practice Manager for IFC Creating Markets Advisory, said “The new online registration and licensing system is business-friendly and expected to lower costs for businesses and support entrepreneurs, especially local businesses, to establish their operations formally.”
Users can also access the system to obtain a tax identification number through its integration with the Ministry of Finance, close or wind up a business, acquire or renew business licenses, and search the registry’s business information database. Additionally, BRLS provides a variety of resources including relevant laws and regulations, online user guides, and information on registration and licensing fees and tariffs, among other resources.
