The time and cost of registering and doing business is set to drastically reduce from next year with the automation of the Registrar Generals Department. The project which is about 40 percent complete will fast track to just a few hours online business registration, searches and filing of returns when automation is completed hopefully by April next year. It is part of an e-Ghana project to automate the Internal Revenue Service and Value Added Tax Service. Though the project is being managed by GCNet, actual implementation is by INFOTECH, the IT firm which worked on the automation of the Ghana Stock Exchange. Managing Director of INFOTECH, Suresh Agarwal told Joy Business “you will be able to do searches of business in Ghana from anywhere in the world," when the automation is completed. “…You will be able to ease the process of registration of the business,” adding the system will be inform right away and make it possible for people to get up to the minute information on the businesses in Ghana. The Deputy Department Manager at GCNet in charge of Infrastructure, Patrick de Souza tells Joy Business the project will transform revenue mobilization. Meanwhile, the automation of IRS and the VAT Service is also set to be completed by April next year. This will see businesses pay and file their tax returns online. The process which is being implemented by Crown Agents is managed by GGNet. The entire project is expected to cost some 59 million dollars most of which will be borne by GCNet with support from the World Bank. Source: Joy Business/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana