China and Indonesia both fall a number of places in the index, indicating that it easier to do business in those jurisdictions, but they are still among the most difficult; Hong Kong is one of the easiest.
Hong Kong remains a great place for business according to the Global Business Complexity Index (GBCI) by TMF Group, a leading professional services firm.
The report analyses key areas of business administration and compliance across 77 jurisdictions, from the time it takes to incorporate a company, to changes in tax legislation, policies around wages and benefits, through to the challenges of opening a bank account. In all, over 290 different criteria are factored into this year's rankings.
Second only to Denmark, Hong Kong is one of the easiest jurisdictions in the world in which to do business, mostly due to its openness to globalisation and simple rules. In the area of accounting, for example, the jurisdiction follows the Hong Kong accounting principle, which is closely aligned with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Another factor is that incorporating a business usually takes only one week, while only one governmental body needs to be notified. Firing an underperforming employee is a relatively simple process, requiring around 3-4 weeks. Hong Kong is also a digital-friendly jurisdiction: official legal entity documents do not require an official stamp, chop or seal to be legally effective,
The wider Asia Pacific region presents many challenges and opportunities. China is one of the biggest economies in the world but has always been among the hardest jurisdictions to do business in the world, but the recent trend shows this may be changing. The country dropped from 6th to 12th over the last year, with Indonesia following the trend, dropping from 1st to 6th. The latter is clearly showing a commitment to opening up to foreign direct investment, with the introduction of new laws to actively reduce the layers of complexity.
The contrast in the region is evidenced by South Korea and India featuring in the top 20 most complex jurisdictions, while Singapore, Australia and New Zealand are all closer to the bottom of the index so are simpler for business.
One interesting revelation from the report is that none of the region's jurisdictions allow employees to be dismissed without citing a reason. Globally, that number is currently at 20%, compared to 29% in 2020, a fact mostly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of laws to protect employees.
Paolo Tavolato, Head of APAC at TMF Group, commented: "The Asia Pacific region is marked by its great diversity and opportunities. In general, countries in the region have been trying to apply more business-friendly legislations. Hong Kong is a hub for businesses in APAC, and it has simplified even more its corporate environment. Challenges are still very present in countries like China and Indonesia, but it is my belief that the investment opportunities are enough to attract companies and investors".
Top and bottom ten
1. Brazil
2. France
3. Mexico
4. Colombia
5. Turkey
6. Indonesia
7. Argentina
8. Bolivia
9. Costa Rica
10. Poland
68. Mauritius
69. El Salvador
70. The Netherlands
71. United States
72. British Virgin Islands
73. Curacao
74. Ireland
75. Cayman Islands
76. Hong Kong
77. Denmark
For further information, please contact:
Giampaolo Arghittu, Global External Communications Manager, TMF Group
Giampaolo.arghittu@tmf-group.com
D: +44-7983-314-989
Daniel Resendes, External Communication Executive, TMF Group,
E: daniel.resendes@tmf-group.com
T: +55-11-978-923-227
About TMF Group
Our 9,100 experts and 120 offices in 85 jurisdictions worldwide serve corporates, financial institutions, asset managers, private clients and family offices, providing the combination of accounting, tax, payroll, fund administration, compliance and entity management services essential to global business success.
We know how to unlock access to the world's most attractive markets - no matter how complex - swiftly, safely and efficiently. That's why more than 60% of the Fortune Global 500 and FTSE 100, and almost half the top 300 private equity firms, work with us. Our unique global delivery model, underpinned by our innovative digital platforms, means we can cover sectors as diverse as capital markets, private equity, real estate, pharmaceuticals, energy and technology, with experts on the ground providing local support.
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