Governments establish policies that guide business operations within their jurisdictions. Business owners will usually react whether positively or negatively to changes in government policies as these factors influence their competitiveness and profitability. Business owners are also tasked to comply with rules and regulations established by authorities or risk facing penalties. For example, tax policies affect business costs. A rise in tax (on business profits) has the same effect as an increase in production costs. Businesses will most certainly at some point pass some of this tax burden on to consumers with higher prices which will also affect the bottom line. Another major issue is multiple taxation which has further heightened the effects on business owners. New policies that could also affect business include fiscal/monetary, economic, environmental and legal policies. As part of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) intervention initiatives, we serve as a catalyst for creating a conducive business environment for MSMEs to thrive and unleash their potential. We perform this obligation by engaging in the following activities: i) Business Challenge Portal: The portal generates a list of challenges with MDAs from small business to mediate on their behalf. We aim to provide real and long-lasting solutions to complaints received from business owners. ii) Resource Page: We provide an updated resource page on our website that contains information on doing business in Lagos State amongst other topics that are beneficial to entrepreneurs (potential and existing) to bridge information gap. iii) Policy Recommendation: We also recommend polices to public institutions that will aid business performance in Lagos State. iv) Forum: We organise forums aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business in Lagos State. You can send your challenges and complaints with Lagos State Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to researchandpolicy@lsetf.ng or click the link to the portal on https://goo.gl/forms/l6bdUWEZbk2AmspE3 for mediation
