World Bank Report Highlights Key Factors for Business-Ready Economies

The World Bank’s Business Ready Project (B-READY) has analyzed 50 economies, assessing regulatory effectiveness, governance quality, and service delivery efficiency in property registration, building permits, and environmental clearances under the Business Location category. The findings indicate that economies excelling in this area share common traits, including strong property rights, efficient land administration, and streamlined building permit processes.

Among the top performers, Georgia earned a score of 83.01 out of 100, demonstrating efficiency in property registration and permitting, while Estonia leveraged advanced e-government systems to achieve a score of 80.40. Conversely, Gambia, with a score of 33.4, faced difficulties in balancing regulatory oversight with service efficiency. These results illustrate the factors that contribute to a favorable business environment and highlight why certain economies are more business-friendly than others.

The Rise of Digital Service Delivery

The report emphasized the transformative impact of digital service delivery on business-related public services. Approximately 80% of surveyed economies now offer digital platforms for property registration, building permits, or environmental clearances. Europe and Central Asia lead in this regard, with Estonia and Georgia demonstrating comprehensive digital integration. This shift underscores the role of digitalization in improving regulatory efficiency and business accessibility.

Regional Performance and Best Practices

While some regions have made significant progress, others still face challenges. Sub-Saharan Africa showed the most room for improvement, while countries like Costa Rica, Estonia, New Zealand, and Rwanda showcased how systematic efforts can drive digital transformation. Each of these nations provides online platforms for property transfers and building and environmental permit applications. Additionally, Rwanda has implemented a system that allows users to submit online complaints and suggestions to improve services at the property registry and cadastral mapping agency.

Transparency in public service delivery emerged as another critical factor. Costa Rica led in this category, followed closely by Estonia and Rwanda, as these countries ensured that procedural requirements, fee schedules, and application processes were easily accessible to the public. On the other hand, Timor-Leste and Chad struggled to make even basic regulatory information readily available.

A key aspect of effective public service delivery is the interoperability of government systems. Top-performing economies, such as Estonia and Rwanda, have successfully integrated property registries with cadastral agencies and linked building permit platforms with zoning and land-use databases. This integration reduces risks of non-compliance, streamlines project implementation, and enhances efficiency for businesses.

Diverging Approaches to Implementation

The report identified two primary approaches to implementing digital public services. Leading economies rely on unified databases that combine legal and geographical information, ensuring seamless service delivery. Countries such as Costa Rica and Singapore, however, have adopted a more gradual approach, initially focusing on integrating property transfers before expanding digitalization efforts.

Nations struggling with interoperability often face technical and institutional challenges, including difficulties in coordinating across government agencies and standardizing data formats. Achieving high interoperability requires technological sophistication, robust coordination, and a clear vision for integrated service delivery.

The Link Between Regulation and Service Efficiency

The analysis established a strong correlation (0.78) between regulatory frameworks and the effectiveness of public service delivery. Countries with well-structured regulations tended to provide more transparent and accessible services for businesses. The data indicated that regulations specifying clear online service requirements or mandating transparent fee structures contributed to improved service outcomes.

For instance, economies that required digital submission of building permits or transparent property registration processes often developed user-friendly online platforms, enhancing accessibility and efficiency. This created a cycle where strong regulations fostered better service delivery, which, in turn, made regulatory implementation and refinement more effective. The findings highlighted the interconnected nature of regulatory quality and public service efficiency, emphasizing how advancements in one area could drive progress in another.

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