In the News

Doing Business reports have received extensive coverage in all major media outlets -- from global to regional and throughout local media, including print, broadcast, and Web. Here is a sample of what’s been said about Doing Business 2011: Making a Difference for Entrepreneurs. 

Doing Business 2011

“[Doing Business] has succeeded in putting the issue of business red tape on the international political agenda.”
-- The Economist, 11/4/10

“The Doing Business report, which was started in 2003, has become one of the key ways in which the bank and other observers gauge business climate within developing countries...”
-- The Financial Times, 11/4/10

“Governments have responded to the financial crisis by making it easier for entrepreneurs to start new businesses, paving the way for employment growth amid an uncertain economic outlook, according to [Doing Business].”
-- The New York Times, 11/3/10

“[Doing Business started] as a way to encourage countries to reduce obstacles to entrepreneurship. Developing countries compete to land a spot on the top 10 list of most-improving countries because it is seen as a way to get attention and investment.”
-- The Wall Street Journal, 11/3/10

Doing Business 2010

"One of the merits of [the Doing Business] data is that for any given regulatory obstacle in a country, it is easy to see which neighbouring country is doing better, and whether there are any relatively simple changes that would help."
-- The Financial Times, 9/12/09

“Encouragingly, reform seems to be contagious. Countries try to emulate leaders in their regions... The willingness of governments to keep reforming in such tough times strengthens the prospects for recovery.”
-- The Economist, 9/10/09

“Doing Business has gained considerable attention in recent years among developing countries, with hopes that a higher spot on the list could help lure foreign investors.”
-- Dow Jones, 9/8/09

“Here’s a rare bright spot as a result of the global financial crisis. The World Bank’s Doing Business Report, which tracks how easy or hard it is to start new businesses in various countries around the world, is just out today, and more countries than ever are slashing red tape around starting businesses.” 
-- Newsweek, 9/8/09

“AFRICA: 'Doing Business' reformers may lead recovery. The faster recovery rates likely to be experienced by reformist states can be expected to provide added impetus to the business environment reform process in the years ahead.”
-- Oxford Analytics, 9/10/09

“The World Bank’s annual Doing Business report indicates that capitalism has fared better than feared in the recession…Research has shown that pro-business reforms are particularly beneficial in developing countries.”
-- The New York Times Freakonomics Blog, 9/11/09

"Rwanda can be proud that it is the first sub-Saharan African country to be named top global reformer by the World Bank.”
-- Tony Blair, Founder of Africa Governance Initiative, Former British Prime Minister 09/09/09

Read the coverage from previous years