In 2011, finance ministries eager to climb their countries’ business-friendly rankings will compete fiercely. With investment scarce and jobs even scarcer, countries that sparkle in global league tables can send a powerful signal to investors.
The World Competitiveness Index, the Human Development Index and the World Bank’s “Doing Business” rankings are perhaps the best known of all the business league tables. Countries will watch their ratings closely. The higher ranking numbers they score – larger amounts of investments will pour into their economies.
The rich world will most probably continue to suffer from anemic growth for years to come. The emerging world, by contrast, will become a hub of of dynamism and creativity. It is very possible, over the next decade to account for more than 50% of global growth and for a disproportionate share of business innovations.
Emerging and frontier markets will continue to offer business a chance to get in on the ground floor. Companies that move fast will enjoy lots of advantages. They will be able to forge contracts with aggressive young companies, strike deals with local governments and shape the tastes of future consumers.
