Economist calls for toning up administration

Chennai, Feb 8 (UNI) Though India has emerged as a top reformer in cross border trade and obtaining credits improving its ranking in 2006-07 on these parameters to 79 and 36 respectively in the Ease of Doing Business Index 2008, the country has to tone up administration, a senior economist today said.

During a workshop on 'Doing Business in Indian State,' organised by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), 'Doing Business Reform Unit' senior economist Stefka Slavova said the country needs to adopt best practices in administration as institutionalised in cities such as Hyderabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Chennai and Bhubaneshwar.

''The country should look up to countries such as New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, Czech Republic and Turkey and gain insights into reforms,'' she added.

In her presentation, Ms Slavova said according to International Benchmarking of Regulation in 178 Economies by the World Bank (WB), based primarily on indicators of Mumbai administration, India enjoyed comparatively better ranking in protecting investors (33).

But it lagged in procedure to start a business (111), dealing with licences (134), employing people (177) and paying tax (165).

''It takes 33 days, 13 procedures and cost 75 per cent of GNI per capita to start a business in Mumbai.

To obtain construction permits in the same city, it takes 224 days, 20 procedures and costs 519 per cent of GNI per capita.

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