The Ease of Doing Business in the APEC Economies

Abstract

In 2003, the World Bank Group first published an annual survey that ranks more than 180 of the world’s economies, measuring their regulatory environment related to the ease of starting and operating a business. These rankings are called the Ease of Doing Business Index, which are based upon ten different categories. Examining these areas allow governments to have an objective view of their economy’s health and potential business opportunities for their citizens. In 2009, the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation launched their Ease of Doing Business Action Plan (2010-2015), aimed at improving five of the ten categories by 2015. This paper investigates these specific categories in the five top ranked economies in APEC, which are Singapore, Hong Kong (SAR, China), New Zealand, the United States, and South Korea. In addition to the use of scholarly journals, I will also utilize data published by the World Bank. By analyzing these economies, I will conclude which areas enabled them to be ranked favorably and discuss which areas pose as a challenge.