Business Corruption

According to the World Bank and IFC's Enterprise Surveys 2010, a large percentage of companies expect to pay bribes in order to obtain import licences. Moreover, According to the Bertelsmann Foundation 2010, government officials often demand facilitation payments from companies transporting goods across the border and through several control posts within Mali's borders. Companies should also note that fraud through the use of import licences that create preferential rules for individual companies is not uncommon.

Business executives surveyed in the World Economic Forum Global Enabling Trade Report 2010 state that trade in Mali is impeded by customs procedures, which remain largely inefficient. In addition, exporting and importing require considerable time and paperwork to clear goods at the border, and the process is plagued by corruption and bribery.

Political Corruption

According to the US Department of State 2010, the Auditor General's Annual Report 2009 highlighted instances of fraud and mismanagement that have resulted in the loss of approximately USD 226 million, including lost revenue in the Customs Department. Despite of the OAG has exposed a number of large corruption cases, none of these cases have yet proceeded to trial, as reported in the US Department of State 2010.

The Auditor General continues to face difficulties and obstacles from the customs administration when producing audits, according to a review of its own performance from 2004-2011.

Frequency

World Economic Forum: The Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011:
- Business executives give the efficiency of customs procedures (formalities regulating the entry and exit of merchandise) in Mali a score of 4.1 on a 7-point scale (1 being 'extremely slow and cumbersome' and 7 'rapid and efficient').

The World Bank & IFC: Doing Business 2011:
- Exporting a standardised shipment of goods requires a company to obtain and fill out 7 documents, taking an average of 26 days at a cost of USD 2,202 per container.

- Importing a standardised shipment of goods requires a company to acquire and fill out 10 documents, taking an average of 31 days at a cost of USD 3,067 per container.

World Economic Forum: Global Enabling Trade Report 2010:
- Business executives give the transparency of border administration (irregular payments in exports and imports) a score of 2.9 on a 7-point scale (1 being 'non-transparent' and 7 'transparent').

- Business executives give the transparency of border administration (corruption perceptions index) a score of 2.8 on a 10-point scale (0 being 'corrupt' and 10 'not corrupt').

The World Bank & IFC: Enterprise Surveys 2010:
- 35% of companies expect to give gifts to obtain import licences.

- 17% of companies identify customs and trade regulations as a major constraint. This is twice the amount compared to the previous survey in 2007.