The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has introduced a new and efficient module for businesses to obtain a licence to operate and trade and if the criteria are met, the licence will be issued in under 25 days, an official press release.

The licence ensures compliance in overall hygiene facilities, site plan as well as fire regulations in order to operate in a particular neighbourhood or within a community. Licences are issued by CMC to 148 different business categories, the majority being catering establishments and restaurants, barber and hairdressing salons, car repair shops and garages, LP gas stores, tailoring establishments and manufacturing facilities, etc, according to the release issued by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group which assisted the CMC to create efficiencies for obtaining trade licences by simplifying the issuance process for businesses, the release added.

“CMC’s biggest concern is the lack of awareness among the business and trading sector of the mandatory requirement of a license to trade. Applicants are unaware of the process, requirements and timelines which results in obtaining such a licence being a tedious and cumbersome affair. The new simplified model will significantly reduce redundant processes to avoid unnecessary delays, reduce workload of departmental heads and ensure faster processing of the application. A handbook explaining the required criteria along with a checklist will ensure that both applicant and the Municipal inspectors are fully knowledgeable on the requirements.

This too will avoid unnecessary delays in the process,” it said. The new business licensing system is a progressive measure to help Colombo improve the investment climate and achieve its full growth potential. Badrani Jayawardena, Municipal Council Commissioner, was quoted as saying, that , “Simplifying the trade license process and strengthening our support to applicants are key priorities, and I welcome this initiative, which will lead to a win-win situation for both Colombo and traders.”

Per Kjellerhaug, IFC Regional Manager for Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal said, “Making it easier to obtain trade licenses in Colombo is a major step in creating a business enabling environment. This project has the potential to be replicated in other municipalities, and we are happy to support the Colombo Municipal Council in it efforts to create efficiencies.”