The past year has been good for doing business in 58 of the 145 Doing Business sample countries. They simplified some aspect of business regulations, strengthened property rights or made it easier for businesses to raise financing. Slovakia was the leading reformer: introducing flexible working hours, easing the hiring of first-time workers, opening a private credit registry, cutting the time to start a business in half and, thanks to a new collateral law, reducing the time to recover debt by three-quarters. Colombia was the runner-up. Among the top 10 reformers, 2 other European Union entrants— Lithuania and Poland—significantly lightened the burden on businesses. India made progress in improving credit markets. Five other European. | TeAM YYePG taeles Digitally signed by TeAM YYePG DN cn TeAM YYePG c US o TeAM YYePG ou TeAM YYePG email yyepg@ Reason I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Date 12 19 37 08 00 A copublication of the World Bank the International Finance Corporation and Oxford University .
