MEPP Quarterly Report October-December 2015

MEPP supports reform of rules and regulations that govern public sector spending programs, especially those that promote business start-up, growth, and innovation, to improve transparency and effectiveness of government investments. This includes supporting state programs for SMEs, such as the Mexican Association of State Government Development Secretaries (AMSDE), to promote business development and innovation. Businesses face fewer obstacles to growth. MEPP proposes specific regulations affecting business start-up and operation to make them more transparent and less costly. These proposals focus on governance change at the national, state, and municipal level, including streamlining procedures and reducing regulatory barriers. High-impact entrepreneurship is also promoted through initiatives such as the Innovation Stimulus Program (under CONACYT) to support innovative businesses. Competition is improved. MEPP supports public sector actions that level the playing field in a given market, strengthening regulations and capacity to improve the accountability of corporations that engage in anti-competitive behavior. This includes promoting competition through the Federal Economic Competition Commission (COFECE) and the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC). Barriers to entry for new competitors are also reduced, especially in markets where collusion is common. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have greater access to private capital. MEPP proposes modifications to rules and regulations of key financial sector institutions to improve the incentives and ability of SMEs to attract private investment. This includes innovative financing options for SMEs, such as the Mexican National Development Bank (NAFIN) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Business transactions are more efficient and reliable. MEPP proposes modifications to regulations and judicial processes that impose costs on businesses pursuing larger economic transactions, as well as those trying to resolve claims and disputes with other firms or organizations. Reforms will increase the transparency and reliability of government transactions, while reducing the time and expenditure of business transactions. Citizens have greater access to public information. MEPP works with the Office of the Presidency and other stakeholders to develop and launch mobile applications that increase the quality and volume of governmental information available to individuals, NGOs, and the private sector. These applications support the federal government's commitment to improve public sector transparency and transactions between government and citizens. Administrative actions are taken to support the implementation of MEPP's policy outcomes. These actions include providing technical assistance to government institutions, promoting best practices in operating procedures, information exchange, and human capital development. Upcoming activities and cost projections are also outlined, including the launch of new initiatives and the continuation of existing ones. The MEPP program is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by Abt Associates Inc. The program's mission is to improve Mexican private sector competitiveness by supporting the country's efforts to strengthen public sector economic governance.