The author of WB (World Bank) Report, Doing Business 2007: How to Carry Out Reforms, Semiona Dyankova, is expected to pay a visit to Baku on January 30 вЂ" February, 3, 2007.
Trend has been informed by the WB Baku Office that the main aim of the forthcoming visit is to carry out work in the country to improve the international rating of Azerbaijan in business sphere. Discussions and getting acquainted with the existing situation over the country will enable to improve Azerbaijan position at preparing for the next report. Most part of the work will be carried out with the Economic Development Ministry of the Country; however she will hold meetings in the other offices as well.
Cristian Petersen, the WB Chief Economist, who is expected to arrive Baku on January 30, will take part the measures to be taken to improve the business-climate. He is expected to visit country till February 12.
Azerbaijan was ranked 100th in 2006 and the 99th in a report prepared by WB together with IFC which was issued last year. That report was dedicated to the rating of countries on the degree of prosperity to carry out business. Doing Business 2007 presents the rating of 175 countries on the degree of simplicity of conditions to carry out business.
The analysis does not take into consideration such indicators as the size of market, macroeconomic policy, and quality of infrastructure, stability of the national currency, opinions of investors, or the crime rate.
Creating favorable atmosphere to open a business was the most popular reform carried out all over the World in 2005-2006. Procedures were simplified in 43 countries. The second popular measure taken was the reform to reduce taxes and lowering administrative barriers linked with paying taxes, which was carried out in 31 countries. The data citied in the report shows that the cost of carrying out business is so high in some countries that most of entrepreneurs have to act beyond formal economy.