gulfnews : Report shows mixed results for region

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies achieved mixed results in the recently published Doing Business 2012. The gap among countries in the region is exceptionally large, as exemplified by ranking numbers of 12 and 67 for Saudi Arabia and Kuwait respectively. Other selected results include number 33 for the UAE, 36 for Qatar, 38 for Bahrain and 49 for Oman.

The ninth such report is a co-publication of the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. The report stands out by offering quantitative comparisons on business regulation and the protection of property rights in 183 economies with regard to smaller companies in domestic markets.

Reviewed economies, which fairly represent the global economy, are ranked on results achieved in ten areas, namely starting a business, access to credit, paying taxes, resolving insolvency, registering property, trading across borders, dealing with construction permits, protecting investors, enforcing contracts and getting electricity.

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