At a time when global economic growth is showing better results, direct investment abroad is on the rise. For a French entrepreneur wishing to set up a subsidiary or launch his project abroad, the location of his business is an important criterion to take into account.
In 2015, the World Bank drew up a ranking of the world’s most attractive countries. This ranking includes several criteria such as the ease of setting up a business, obtaining a loan, paying taxes, enforcing contracts…
The complete ranking: http: //francais.doingbusiness.org/rankings
What are the top three countries?
No. 1 New Zealand: This is the second year running that New Zealand has come second. This is due to the ease of setting up a business, transferring ownership and obtaining a loan.
No. 2 Singapore: At the heart of Asia’s metropolises, Singapore is the most advantageous capital for setting up a business. Singapore’s strengths lie in “granting building permits” and “enforcing contracts”.
- Business start-ups: 10th place
- Obtaining a loan: 19th place
- Tax payments: 5th place
- Contract enforcement: 1st place
- Business start-ups: 1st place
- Loan approval: 1st place
- Tax payments: 22nd place
- Contract enforcement: 15th place
N°3 Denmark : This year, Denmark reaches 3rd place in the ranking, making it the first country on the European continent to reach the podium.
- Business start-ups: 29th
- Obtaining loans 28th
- Tax payment: 12th
- Contract enforcement: 37th
And what about France?
- Business start-ups: 32nd place
- Obtaining a loan: 79th place
- Tax payments: 87th place
- Contract enforcement: 14th place
Despite a business climate that is thought to be difficult, France ranks 27th behind Switzerland and ahead of the Netherlands. It is ahead of most of its European neighbors.
The auditing firm Ernst & Young has taken a closer look at France and claims that it is “one of the best places to start a business”. The explanation goes against preconceived ideas that suggest that French administration is complicated and not very dynamic. On the contrary, it’s thanks to the French administration that the process of setting up a business is so straightforward. It takes just 5 steps and 7 days to start up a business. By way of comparison, the average for G20 companies is 7.6 procedures and 22 days.
Despite a number of advantages, such as road infrastructure and an available, skilled workforce, France’s main drawback remains its tax system. Total taxes paid by French companies reach 51.7%, compared with an average of 24% in G20 countries.
