Heliopolis, Cairo - Egypt

Success stories

2013
/
Iraq

Iraq Construction Permits Business Process Re-engineering

Challenges:

Obtaining construction permits in Iraq was a lengthy, complex, and costly process for investors, with multiple overlapping procedures, unclear requirements, and limited transparency. These inefficiencies created administrative burdens, slowed investment, and hindered urban development. To foster a more business-friendly environment, there was a need to streamline procedures, eliminate redundancies, and introduce greater efficiency and accountability in the permitting system.

Solutions:

Arab African Advisers supported the Government of Iraq in re-engineering the construction permit process across three cities. The work involved:

  • Regulatory and institutional review: Analyze the framework governing construction permits at both national and city levels.
  • Ground-level verification: Map and verify actual procedures followed in practice.
  • Bottleneck analysis: Identify redundant steps, inefficiencies, and procedures lacking legal basis.
  • Cost assessment: Measure the direct and indirect administrative burdens imposed on investors.
  • Process redesign: Develop recommendations to streamline procedures and design the re-engineered permit process.
  • One-stop shop assessment: Explore the feasibility of establishing a one-stop shop (OSS) and identifying regulatory, ICT, and human resource requirements, including job descriptions.

Impact:

The project provided Iraq with a clear roadmap to modernize its construction permitting system by:

  • Eliminating unnecessary procedures and legal redundancies.
    Reducing administrative costs and time burdens for investors.
    Designing a more transparent, efficient, and predictable process.
    Laying the groundwork for an OSS to simplify services and improve coordination.

 

Through these reforms, Iraq was better positioned to enhance transparency, attract investment, and accelerate construction and urban development.

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