Togo Strengthens Maritime Protection with Adherence to Two International Conventions

Economic governance

Friday, 05 May 2023 16:00

Togo Strengthens Maritime Protection with Adherence to Two International Conventions

(Togo First) - On May 4th, the Togolese parliament approved the country's adherence to two international conventions aimed at protecting its maritime activities. The first is the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, and the second is the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The first convention will enable Lomé to take steps to ensure the growth of fish species, particularly Atlantic tuna. Its adoption aligns with the government's efforts to regulate the opening and closing of fishing seasons, specifically on the Nangbeto Lake. This convention also serves as a legal tool that will allow Togolese authorities to control the expansion of industrial fishing by regulating fishing activities.

After the deputies agreed on the adoption, Edem Tengué, Minister of Maritime Economy, stated, "Through this adherence, Togo wishes to participate actively in the sustainable management of tuna stocks in the Atlantic, in cooperation with the other States Parties to the Convention."

Regarding the second convention, it enables the Tribunal for the Law of the Sea to intervene in conflicts related to Togo's maritime space, such as issues concerning the delineation of its sea borders. Commenting on this convention, Tengué said, "This adherence will also help foster cooperation at the international, regional, and sub-regional levels in the protection and conservation of fisheries resources and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing."

The two conventions complement other legal tools adopted by Togo to improve its maritime activity and fishing industry.

Esaïe Edoh

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.