Background
There are many good reasons for registering property – one of which is that defining and publicizing property rights has proven good for entrepreneurs. Land and buildings account for between half and three-quarters of the wealth in most economies. With formal property titles, entrepreneurs can obtain mortgages on their homes or land to start businesses. Banks prefer land and buildings as collateral since they are difficult to move or hide. In many developing countries, most bank loans are secured by land.
A large proportion of property in developing countries is not formally registered. Un-registered property limits financing opportunities for new businesses and expansion opportunities for existing ones. Recognizing these bottlenecks, many governments have embarked on extensive property titling programs.
Efficient property registration reduces transaction costs and improves the security of property rights. Property registries record legal ownership and cadastres record physical characteristics and identify boundaries. Registering property is almost twice as efficient in rich countries as in poor ones. In the most efficient countries, registration averages 40 days and costs less than 5% of the property value.
How can this program help?
Economic development missions to the U.S. can expose government officials in the developing country to best practices as used in different areas of the U. S. Only by seeing for themselves what works and the benefits of streamlined procedures can the investment climate in their country be improved.
Economic Development Mission vs. Consultants
An economic development mission is an alternative to sending highly paid consultants to the developing country. The programs:
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are more economical
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do not require in-country training of the consultants
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offer a variety of solutions in a variety of locations – both large and small states, businesses, and farms
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provide greater exposure to solutions and lead to greater understanding
What will they see?
CEI programs are designed to acquaint the participants with the detailed procedures, forms, and best practices used in the U.S. They will visit government agencies at the local, state, and national level to meet and discuss with operational personnel and learn about current best practices.
Topics to be covered include
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Procedures for reducing the time to register land and property
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Establishing a cadastre
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Procedures to reduce registration cost
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The use of electronic processing
Expected Benefits
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A reduction in time needed to buy and sell property, including days needed for all mandatory registration, inspections, and approvals
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A reduction of the formal cost of transferring property.
Where will the program travel?
The program will be based in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area with trips to at least 3 other states in the Midwest. At least one week will be spent outside the Cincinnati area. The selection of sites to be visited will be determined based on the needs of the program and its participants