KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — Malaysia's higher mark in the World Bank's Doing Business 2018 report was not enough to stop the country from dropping a rung to 24th in the annual index.
The country was able to add 0.96 to its overall “Distance to Frontier (DTF)” score from 2017 to weigh in at 78.43 in the index this year, with positive changes indicating improvements in a country's ease of doing business.
In the region, only Singapore was higher; the island state was second on the ladder, behind New Zealand that was adjudged to have the best environment for businesses.
Next closest was Thailand, at 26th.
Of the 11 indicators measured, Malaysia was found to be best in protecting minority investors' interests, coming 4th in the area.
The country performed worst in the ease of starting business, placing 111th.
The Doing Business report was launched in 2003 and is now in its 15th edition.
The report currently ranks 190 economies on areas affecting the life of a company, such as the ease of starting up a business, securing financing and locations, and the security of the local operating environment, among others.
