Ventures Dialogue

Hong Kong is again ranked the world’s freest economy, scoring 8.97 (compared with 8.92 last year) out of 10 points, according to Fraser Institute’s “Economic Freedom of the World, 2009 Annual Report”.

The report ranks 141 economies on policies that support economic freedom. Hong Kong has held top place since the annual survey was introduced. The others in the top 5 this year are Singapore, New Zealand, Switzerland and Chile. The United States comes 6th. Mainland China is 82nd (up from 98th last year). Apart from the top overall ranking, Hong Kong ranks first in “freedom to trade internationally”, and third in “size of government”. Components or subcomponents with “full score” include “government enterprises and investment”, “top marginal tax rate”, “freedom to own foreign currency bank accounts”, and “taxes on international trade”, etc.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong remains as the 3rd easiest place to do business in the world, according to the World Bank’s “Doing Business 2010 Report” released recently. A Hong Kong SAR Government spokesperson says they welcome the Report affirming Hong Kong’s leading position in terms of friendliness of business environment. The ranking reflects that Hong Kong is one of the most attractive places for business.

Please click here to view the “Economic Freedom of the World, 2009 Annual Report”.

Please click here to view the World Bank’s “Doing Business 2010 Report”