As Latin American and Caribbean economies have intermittently thrived then struggled in the past decade, the barriers to doing business have remained consistently high. For example, the average time it takes to pay taxes in the region is over 35% higher than the global average. And while reform efforts accelerated in 2016, improving business regulations and economic governance remains a critical missing step for poverty reduction, growth, competitiveness, and the rule of law. To assess the state of business climates and reform efforts in the region—and analyze the path forward—the Dialogue is pleased to present a launch and discussion of the World Bank’s report on Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All. The report is the 14th in a series of annual reports investigating the regulations that enhance or constrain business, with quantitative indicators across 190 economies over time. 

Follow this event on Twitter at #DoingBusinessLAC and @The_Dialogue. 

Speaker

Augusto Lopez Claros

Director, World Bank Global Indicators Group

Commentators

Inés Bustillo

Director of the Washington Office, UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)

Richard Newfarmer

Country Director for Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda, International Growth Centre

Moderator

Michael Shifter

President, Inter-American Dialogue