World Bank: Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand still ‘easiest’, most business-friendly, Malaysia ranked 12th

Singapore, Hong Kong and New Zealand continue to be the easiest countries in the world to do business in, while local entrepreneurs in developing nations are finding it easier to do business than at any time in the last 10 years, according to the World Bank and IFC's latest Doing Business report. 

The improvement in the ease with which people are saying they are able to do business in the world’s developing countries highlights “the significant progress that has been made in improving business regulatory practices across the globe”, according to a summary of the 282-page report’s findings.

The study looks at 185 countries, and examines such indicators as how long it takes to start a business, and how difficult and time consuming it is to submit tax returns, export or import goods, obtain credit and register a property.

Year's 'most improved'

Topping the list of economies that registered the biggest improvements in the ease of doing business over the past year were Poland, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Burundi, Costa Rica, Mongolia, Greece, Serbia, and Kazakhstan.

Australia moved up to 10th place from 15th, Malaysia to 12th from 18th, and Taiwan to 16th from 25th. (See chart, below.)

Also moving up were the UAE (to 26th from 33rd), Italy (to 73rd from 87th), and the Russian Federation (112th from 120th).

Decliners incuded Saudi Arabia (22nd from 12th), Israel (38th from 34th), Argentina (124th from 113th) and Kenya (121st from 109th).

The report, Doing Business 2013: Smarter Regulations for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises, is the tenth in the World Bank/IFC’s Doing Business series.

Since the reports were first published, they have recorded “nearly 2,000 regulatory reforms implemented by 180 economies”, a summary of the findings notes, adding that such reforms have resulted in such improvements as a 20-day decline in the average time it takes to start a business since 2005 – to just 30 days, from 50.

And in low-income economies,  “the average [time required] has been reduced by half”.

All of the five countries at the bottom of this year's ranking are in Africa. In descending order, they are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Republic of the Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic. Mauritius, in 19th place, emerges as Africa's most competitive economy, while South Africa, in 39th place, was down four places from last year's report.

Officials in such countries might take some comfort in some data included in the report that shows how countries compare in certain areas of business activity, for it reveals that even some of the countries considered the "easiest" to do business in have weaknesses. Although Hong Kong ranks second-easiest overall, for example, it is the 60th easiest country in which to register a property; while the United Kingdom, in seventh place, is the 62nd easiest in which to obtain electricity, behind such countries as Estonia, Chile, Bahrain, Thailand, Malaysia and Brazil.

To view the report, click here.

Ease of doing business rankings 2013
Country	Rank	2012 rank
Singapore	1	1
Hong Kong	2	2
New Zealand	3	3
United States	4	4
Denmark	5	5
Norway	6	6
United Kingdom	7	7
Korea, Rep.	8	8
Georgia	9	16
Australia	10	15
Finland	11	11
Malaysia	12	18
Sweden	13	14
Iceland	14	9
Ireland	15	10
Taiwan	16	25
Canada	17	13
Thailand	18	17
Mauritius	19	23
Germany	20	19

                  World Bank/IFC
Sources: International Adviser

Penang Road Bully

AN assistant sales manager who uploaded a recording of a driver of an MPV allegedly ‘damaging’ the former’s car, has received more than 60,000 hits after it went viral online.

The footage, which lasted one minute and 16 seconds, titled ‘Penang Road Bully’, has been widely circulated on the Facebook in the past week.

Ooi Tze Dong, 29, said he was in his car with his girlfriend Lim Ann Si, 26, and they were on their way back from lunch at 2.30pm on Oct 17 when the incident happened at Lengkok Sungai Dua in Sungai Nibong here.

“We were about to go back after lunch when an MPV blocked our way.

“I honked twice at the driver to move his vehicle but he refused. Then I reversed my car to the back alley.

“I was shocked to see the MPV in the middle of the back lane and the driver demanded that I come out of my car,” Ooi said, adding that there was also a woman carrying a baby in the MPV.

He added that when he refused, the driver of the MPV allegedly tapped his car window and repeatedly kicked the driver’s side door, causing a dent.

Ooi said the man continued the ‘attack’ on his car even after Ann Si had started recording his act.

Take a good look: Ooi (centre) and Ann Si showing Lim (left) the police report and video footage of the incident at the Penang MCA headquarters in Jalan Pahang

 

He added that he then called the police and blocked the MPV from leaving the scene.

“However, the driver came at our car again with an umbrella and started hitting the windshield until it cracked,” said Ooi, adding that he then reversed his car and drove to the Sungai Nibong police station where he lodged a police report.

Ooi said he had also lodged another report at the Jelutong police station on Oct 22.

Speaking during a press conference at the state MCA headquarters in Jalan Pahang yesterday, Ooi said he was disappointed that no action has been taken yet against the driver of the MPV despite both his police reports.

“The officer in charge of our case advised us to settle the matter by discussing with the driver of the MPV but I just want the driver to pay the cost of my damaged car which had come up to RM5,000,” he said.

State MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau deputy chief Lim Thoon Deong said that the police should be more professional in handling the case instead of merely ‘advising’ the victim to settle the matter.

“This is considered as attempted assault and the police should be more serious in curbing these ‘road bullies’ by bringing them to justice,” he said.

When contacted, George Town OCPD Asst Comm Gan Kong Meng said the case was being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for committing mischief and damage.

He also said the officer-in-charge of the case is expected to refer the matter to the deputy public prosecutor’s office by next Monday for further action.

By HAFIZ MARZUKH The Star/Asia News Network

Asian tour golf stars return to Malaysia CIMB Classic

PETALING JAYA: The talented trio of Kevin Na, Charlie Wi and Noh Seung-yul are taking trips down memory lane when they compete in the US$6.1mil CIMB Classic at the Mines Resort and Golf Club during 25-28 October, 2012
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Malaysia has been a happy hunting ground for the trio, who have all won tournaments here when they featured on the Asian Tour previously before moving on to the PGA Tour.

The 40-year-old Wi claimed the first of his seven Asian Tour titles at the 1997 Kuala Lumpur Open before establishing himself as one of Asia’s top golfers with six more victories, including the 2006 Malaysian Open.

Na, a Korean-American, enjoyed his career breakthrough by winning his maiden professional title at the 2002 Volvo Masters of Asia in Malaysia while the gifted Seung-yul has since emerged as one of the Asian Tour’s greatest talents in recent times.

Seung-yul has been touted as a potential top-10 player in the world and is currently training under swing guru Sean Foley, who is also the coach of 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods.

Former world No. 1 Woods will headline the CIMB Classic along with title holder Bo Van Pelt and inaugural champion Ben Crane.

The slender Seung-yul produced an impressive rookie season on the PGA Tour this year, notching three top-10s and 13 top-25s. He has also made 17 consecutive cuts on the PGA Tour dating back to April.

Seung-yul, who started hitting golf balls on the beach near his home when he was seven, said competing on the Asian Tour laid the foundation for his rapid rise in the game.

Sanctioned by the PGA Tour, Asian Tour and Professional Golf Association of Malaysia, the CIMB Classic will see a top class field of 48 players competing for the US$1.3mil winning purse.

The tournament will feature 30 players from the PGA Tour and the top 10 available players from the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit. Eight sponsors’ exemptions will make up the rest of the field, with two places reserved for Malaysian professionals. - The Star

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