The methodology of this study is quite simple. The authors of 'Doing Business' analyzed various aspects of entrepreneurship for all studied countries in turn. They were interested in: how much time and money it takes to start a business, what permits and licenses are needed to begin construction of a warehouse, how difficult it is to hire workers. In addition, they examined issues of registering property rights, obtaining credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, international trade, resolving business disputes, and, of course, liquidation and sale of a business<\/a>.<\/p>
The easiest place to do business, it turned out, is Singapore. In second place is New Zealand, in third is the United States. Generally speaking, the top ten turned out as expected - it included bustling, businesslike Hong Kong, Nordic Denmark, oligarch-favored Great Britain, spacious Canada, quiet Ireland, barren Australia, and inconspicuous Iceland.<\/p>
Closing the list are entirely African countries - Chad, Burundi, Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Central African Republic, and Republic of Congo. Only at 172nd place is Venezuela, which the World Bank surely awarded such a position for its constant attempts to nationalize the most profitable industries.<\/p>
Russia ended up in the second half of the list. The conditions for doing business in a country that is incomprehensible to foreign investors are worse than in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guyana, Paraguay, or, for example, Ethiopia. At the same time, Russia managed to surpass Bangladesh, Nigeria, Argentina, and fraternal Belarus.<\/p>
Among all republics of the former Union, Estonia managed to rise the highest, to 17th place. Hot on its heels is Georgia, which took 18th place. Then, in the third ten, come Latvia and Lithuania. Kazakhstan is in 71st place. Worse than Russia's business situation is, for example, in Uzbekistan (138th place), Ukraine (139th), Tajikistan (153rd).<\/p>
Although it is hard to overestimate the work of World Bank experts, the report is of little use as a guide for foreign investors. It does not take into account the corruption component of entrepreneurial activity. The researchers also did not pay attention to risks and the real economic situation. Perhaps that is why they found that in Zimbabwe, whose president intends to hand over controlling stakes in foreign enterprises to local residents, it is relatively easy (79th place) to register property in one's name. Hyperinflation in the same country, it turns out, does not prevent enterprises from obtaining loans. And in terms of the efficiency of resolving court disputes, Zimbabwe, for example, overtakes Mexico.<\/p>
In the presented rating, another thing is important: it provides a good bird's-eye view of the world economy. For example, it unexpectedly turned out that the Asian miracle is not such a miracle. In 2007, the countries of Eastern Europe and the former USSR overtook East Asia in improving business conditions. In countries that just ten years ago were perceived solely as fragments of a socialist economic system, life is bustling. Who could have thought that in Georgia, 15 enterprises are registered per 100 people, and Croatia would top the list of the most active reformers.<\/p>
