USAID Business Enabling Environment Program Announces the Results of the First Annual Municipal Competitiveness Index (MCI) Survey 2011:

At the MCI Awards Presentation Event on July 12, 2011 in Pristina, Kosovo, the USAID Business Enabling Environment Program (BEEP) announced the results of the first Municipal Competitiveness Index (MCI) Survey and presented awards to the three top performing Municipalities of Mamushe, Hani i Elezit, and Gjilan. The MCI Survey is the first large-scale undertaking of its kind in Kosovo. A total of 2,026 randomly selected businesses in all 37 municipalities were surveyed on a range of issues related to the local business environment and local governance. Results were grouped and presented for eight categories: 1) Barriers to Business Entry; 2) Participation and Predictability; 3) Transparency and Access to Information; 4) Time Costs of Regulatory Compliance; 5) Taxes and Fees; 6) Municipal Administration; 7) Labor and Business Support Services; and 8) Municipal Infrastructure.

The very detailed findings demonstrate the municipalities’ respective strengths and weaknesses, identify current best practices, and show where reforms can be undertaken to make improvements to the business environment within each municipality. BEEP will be following up with municipalities to help them identify the measures they can take to improve their business environments. The MCI Survey will be conducted in Kosovo each year to monitor the impact of business environment reform on local businesses.

The MCI Survey Report can serve as a useful guide to municipal and national administrators, Kosovo business persons, foreign investors, and international donors.