Bloomberg ranks Poland top for business in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

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Bloomberg cited Poland's “expanding consumer market and improving infrastructure” as securing the country's No.1 status in the survey.

Six categories were analysed in the ranking, including the readiness of the local consumer base, the cost of setting up a business, the cost of material and labour, and the cost of moving goods.

The degree of economic integration was also considered, taking in membership of the World Trade Organization, the most favoured nation tariffs, codependence with the global market, market concentration and the reach of global market research.

“The ex-communist nation of 38.5 million has been the EU’s fastest-growing economy since the continent’s debt crisis erupted in 2008 and the only one to dodge recession since,” Bloomberg summarised.

“Aided by funds from the 28-member bloc, Poland has spent more than $80 billion to revamp roads and bridges in the last six years, softening the blow from the euro-area’s record-long slump.”

Poland managed an overall number of 70.8 points in the survey, ahead of the Czech Republic (68.7), and Hungary (66.7).

Twenty-one countries were reviewed in the survey, although only Kazakhstan – which came 16th - was analysed in Central Asia.

The bottom two on the list were Belarus in 20th position (48.1 points) and Armenia in 21st place (48.0). (nh)

Source: bloomberg.com