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The protocols, processes, safeguards, and resources related to the end-to-end production of the B-READY data and reports

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The project’s detailed measurement methodology topic by topic

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The first three editions of the B-READY pilot report will gradually cover about 180 economies worldwide

World Bank Expert Answers video thumbnail

Business Ready: What Do Economies Need To Do To Enable Businesses To Thrive?

True or False?

General Questions

Economies need to be rich to have a strong business environment.

General Questions

Most economies have room to improve across all B-READY topics.

General Questions

The amount and quality of public services provided by governments are similar across economies.

General Questions

Economies are better at enacting regulations than providing public services.

General Questions

Economies with favorable business environment in one topic tend to perform well in others.

Business Entry Questions

Robust environments for starting up a company only exist in high-income economies. 

Business Entry Questions

On average, it takes more time to incorporate a foreign firm than a domestic firm.

Business Entry Questions

None of the covered economies shows a weak performance in the business entry regulations.

Business Entry Questions

Economies tend to perform worse on Business Entry than on other B-READY topics.

Business Entry Questions

Most economies lack legislation on beneficial ownership requirements.

Business Location Questions

In most B-READY 2024 economies, formal review of building includes verification of compliance with energy-efficiency standards.

Business Location Questions

Very few economies provide incentives to builders to promote green building standards.

Business Location Questions

In most B-READY 2024 economies, the legal system requires identity verification for each party engaged in a property transaction.

Business Location Questions

In most of B-READY 2024 economies, entrepreneurs can check encumbrances (liens, mortgages, restrictions, charges etc.) in a comprehensive and fully functional electronic database.

Business Location Questions

Very few B-READY 2024 economies have national or local regulations or standards related to pollution and waste management in construction activities.

Utility Services Questions

Most B-READY 2024 economies provide financial or non-financial incentives for businesses to adopt water-efficient practices.

Utility Services Questions

E-payment for electricity bills is most widespread in high-income economies.

Utility Services Questions

Most B-READY 2024 economies do not publish online Key Performance Indicators on the sustainability of electricity supply.

Utility Services Questions

High-income economies have the highest rate of independent complaint mechanisms for water services.

Utility Services Questions

Over two-thirds of measured economies do not have standards for digital environmental reporting or disclosure.

Labor Questions

On average, high-income economies offer the longest periods of paid annual leave.

Labor Questions

Workers in most economies have the right to collective bargaining.

Labor Questions

All economies have legislation on the workers’ occupational safety and health.

Labor Questions

Most of the measured economies have no restriction on the use of fixed-term contracts.

Labor Questions

All economies have a minimum age of admission for employment equal to or above 15 years old.

Financial Services Questions

Businesses in high-income economies receive most of their payments through e-payment.

Financial Services Questions

Firms in low-income economies are much more likely than firms in high-income economies to report complex procedures as the main reason they do not apply for loans.

Financial Services Questions

All payment service providers in B-READY 2024 economies must meet certain cybersecurity requirements.

Financial Services Questions

Credit bureaus and registries in high-income economies are more likely to offer credit scores, compared to other income groups.

Financial Services Questions

In most B-READY 2024 economies, secured creditors can enforce their security interests through out-of-court procedures.

International Trade Questions

A considerable number of the economies surveyed are using cross-border carbon pricing instruments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make trade more sustainable.

International Trade Questions

All high-income economies included in B-READY 2024 legally recognize and enforce foreign-issued electronic contracts and signatures.

International Trade Questions

Trusted Trader programs are widely used to streamline and simplify border control procedures.

International Trade Questions

Business transportation is a bigger obstacle for firms than customs and trade regulations.

International Trade Questions

The costs to comply with exports and imports requirements are only a small fraction of the value of the goods.

Taxation Questions

Most companies file taxes electronically in half of the B-READY 2024 economies.

Taxation Questions

Very few of the assessed economies disclose future tax plans.

Taxation Questions

One out of four of the measured economies do not have an independent mechanism for reviewing the tax complaints.

Taxation Questions

Most of the measured economies publish all fees and timelines associated with registering for all types of taxes.

Taxation Questions

In half of B-READY 2024 economies, a tax audit is typically completed within one month.

Dispute Resolution Questions

About a quarter of B-READY 2024 economies lack legal framework for arbitration.

Dispute Resolution Questions

In low-income economies, legal systems do not explicitly empower enforcement agents to seize electronic assets, including cryptocurrency.

Dispute Resolution Questions

Virtual hearings are not commonly available.

Dispute Resolution Questions

Mediation is available for resolving commercial disputes in all economies.

Dispute Resolution Questions

It takes more time to resolve a commercial dispute at the first instance level in high-income economies than elsewhere.

Market Competition Questions

High-income economies score the highest on Market Competition.

Market Competition Questions

Most of the sampled economies have an online platform allowing entrepreneurs to manage their intellectual property rights electronically.

Market Competition Questions

Most economies provide protection for trademarks that have widespread reputation or recognition.

Market Competition Questions

More than 80% of economies have rules that say that, by default, government should purchase goods, services, or construction work in a transparent and competitive manner.

Market Competition Questions

It is rare for economies to post award decisions about government contracts online.

Business Insolvency Questions

Most economies regulate the necessary qualifications of insolvency administrators.

Business Insolvency Questions

Every B-READY 2024 economy has a practice of judicial liquidation of businesses.

Business Insolvency Questions

Only a few economies have electronic auctions conducted at the relevant courts.

Business Insolvency Questions

Most economies show strong performance in the public services related to business insolvency.

Business Insolvency Questions

Most economies have courts with specialized expertise in insolvency.

Additional Information

Authors

Norman

Director, Global Indicators Group

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Manager, Business Ready (B-READY), Global Indicators Group

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