RP second to last among ASEAN in ease of doing business
By Jesus F. Llanto
Researcher, Newsbreak
Wednesday, September 10, 2008–The Philippines’ ranking in ease of doing business has declined: it has fallen by seven notches, a recent study by the World Bank and the International Finance Corp showed.
The Philippines ranked 140th out of 181 economies in the Doing Business 2009 report, which compares the regulations that enhance or constrain business activity. This year’s ranking was a decline from last year, when the country ranked 133rd out of 178 economies.
Last year’s ranking, however, was adjusted to 136th place because of the inclusion of three new countries—Qatar, Bahrain and the Bahamas.
The Philippines was behind most of its Asian neighbors. Singapore, for the third consecutive year, topped the ranking. Thailand and Malaysia landed on the 13th and 14th spot, respectively, while Brunei ranked 88th. Vietnam was on the 92nd spot while Indonesia and Cambodia ranked 129th and 135th, respectively.
The Philippines performed better than Asian neighbors Laos (165th) and East Timor (170th).
The Doing Business 2009 is the sixth in a series of reports that rank economies based on regulations affecting 10 stages of the life of a business: staring a business, dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and closing a business.
