Hon Grant Robertson
Minister of Finance
24 October 2019 PĀNUI PĀPĀHO
MEDIA STATEMENT
New Zealand’s economy continues to top the world for ease of doing business.
The annual World Bank Ease of Doing Business Report shows New Zealand retained first place, with Singapore, Hong Kong, Denmark and South Korea rounding out the top five.
“It’s great to see New Zealand as the best economy in the world to do business. This is another indication that the
economy is in good shape,” Grant Robertson says.
“Our top spot is supported by a stable regulatory environment focussed on encouraging more productive, sustainable and
inclusive economic activity.”
The report measures the ease of complying with regulations around starting a company, getting construction permits, and
contract enforcement. It also measures aspects of running a business like access to credit, getting electricity and
trading across borders.
“The Government is making it easier to do business by tackling some of the long-term challenges facing the business
community. This work includes:
• Boosting productivity, including through the R tax incentive and changes to business tax settings to make it easier to innovate and get start-ups off the ground
• Cutting red tape by reforming the RMA after the previous Government failed to act, and reforming the Building Act to
get more houses built
• Increasing transport infrastructure investment across the country, and supporting the construction industry through
record hospital and school build programmes
• Fixing our electricity market by levelling the playing field and boosting competition
• Negotiating new trade deals, including with the EU, to open up new markets for our exporters
“The work we’re doing is backing businesses to be more productive, allowing them to increase wages, investment and
employment,” Grant Robertson says.
ends