In Italy it is increasingly difficult to do business. The World Bank certifies it in its annual report “Doing Business 2019 – Training for reform” which analyzes the regulatory and fiscal discipline that each country applies to companies.
The World Bank examined the values of 190 countries in a period between 1 June 2017 and 31 May 2018, putting all the variables that can favor or condition the life of a company: from starting the business to accessing credit, passing through relations with the tax authorities, the register of property titles, the possibility of trading internationally, protection for those who invest. For each of these variables, various parameters are then taken into consideration, such as the average time required, the number of documents requested and, obviously, the cost.
DOING BUSINESS 2019: ITALY LOSES SHARE
Compared to last year, our country loses five positions in the world ranking of Doing Business, dropping from 46th to 51st place in the ranking of countries where it is easier to do business, with a score of 72.56 (-0,15) compared to an OECD average of 77.80.
Italy's ouster from the Top 50 is due to a multiplicity of factors, although the World Bank underlines in particular that "Italy pays higher taxes due to the reduction of exemptions on contributions paid by employers for workers hired between 1 January 2016 and 12 December 2016".
Taking into consideration the rankings referring to the individual variables, Italy ranks 118th as regards taxes and 112th for the possibility of accessing credit. The management of building permits (104th place) and the respect of contracts (111) are also bad. On the other hand, things are better with regard to cross-border trade, insolvency resolution and property registration.
DOING BUSINESS 2019: THE WORLD RANKING
In first place in the world rankings is confirmed the New Zealand with an overall score of 86.59. Singapore (85.24) and Denmark (84.64) complete the podium. The first three positions are therefore the same as last year. In fourth place is Hong Kong, in fifth South Korea. Followed by Georgia, Norway and the United States. Close the Top 10 United Kingdom and Macedonia.
All major Member States of the European Union ahead of Italy in the standings: we find Sweden in 12th place, Germany in 24th. Then Austria (26), Spain (30), France (32), Portugal (34) and so on.
At the global level, among the top 20 economies there are 12 OECD countries.
DOING BUSINESS 2019: WHO HAS IMPROVED THE MOST
They are in total 314 regulatory reforms carried out by countries under analysis between 2 June 2017 and 1 May 2018. In detail, 128 economies have introduced substantial regulatory improvements capable of facilitating the possibility of doing business.
Within the report, the World Bank explains how the most important improvements have been achieved in particular by five different countries. Indeed, the general picture shows that, regardless of its starting points, "every economy can improve its discipline when the will of its rulers is strong".
Among the economies that have shown greater progress stand out China and India (respectively in 46th and 77th place) who have carried out a total of 13 reforms capable of improving the possibility for companies to do business. Even a small country like the Republic of Djibouti has implemented six economic reforms. Important progress has also been made in countries in deep difficulty such as Afghanistan, Turkey, Ivory Coast and Togo, nations grappling with "fragility, conflict and violence", underlines the World Bank.
