Undoing business in 2007

The World Bank's Doing Business in 2007 report says conditions for entrepreneurs in Poland are worsening. Among the 175 countries included in the report, Poland is ranked 75th, with Italy (82nd place) and Greece (109th place) the only EU members behind it. Singapore took first place, followed by New Zealand, the US, Canada and Hong Kong. The Baltic states - Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia - rank the highest in the CEE region.

"The report shows that the situation of Poland has worsened compared to last year, when it took the 74th place," said Caralee McLiesh from the World Bank. Poland is improving its regulations, but still lags behind because other countries are doing it much faster."

McLiesh said that Poland should shorten the time needed to start a business. Currently  procedures take 31 days, placing Poland 114th in that ranking. The OECD's average is 17 days.

The World Bank also suggests that Poland reduce the number of business licenses, and introduce online administrative services. The report says that companies must meet 25 requirements, taking about 322 days to establish a business, compared with the OECD average of 14 procedures taking 150 days.

McLiesh added that Poland should reform its system of trade courts. Registering companies and properties in places other than the court should shorten the time it takes to reach a verdict.

Polish experts agree that the most urgent reforms include a new act on the freedom of economic operation as well as zoning plans.