...the world's best countries to invest 2019

Philippines ranks as third best country for investment

Dennis Legaspi

Manila Bulletin 

10 July 2019

The Philippines landed as the third best country in the world to invest in or do business for 2019, this according to the CEOWORLD magazine.  It came after Malaysia in first place and Poland which took silver.  Indonesia (No. 4) and Australia (No. 5) completed the top five among 67 countries.

Paseo de Roxas, Makati City (WIKIPEDIA)

The rankings were based on a survey and statistical data on 11 different factors including corruption, freedom (personal, trade, and monetary), workforce, investor protection, infrastructure, taxes, quality of life, red tape, and technological readiness. Each factor was equally weighted and classified under the general categories of Economic Stability, Government Policies, Skilled Labour Force, Institutional Framework, Education and Research, Market Potential, and Trade Openness.

The Philippines ranked first in Skilled Labour Force (85 points) and Institutional Framework (85 points). It tied at 8^th in Economic Stability (78pts), tied at 15^th in Government Policies (70 points), tied at 15^th for Education and Research (68 points), tied for 22^nd for Market Potential (60 points), and tied for 10^th for Trade Openness (73pts).  The country received the same score as the US in Labour Force.  She also tied Turkey and Saudi Arabia in the Institutional Framework.

It is worth noting that Singapore placed 6^th and Thailand made it to 10^th place.  Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand are the founding members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and they all ranked in the top ten.  The ASEAN endeavors to form a single economy along with the rest of its members — Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos.

India, Czech Republic, Spain complete the top ten. The United Kingdom, the United States, China, and Japan ranked 16th, 18th, 24th, and 32nd, respectively, among the world’s best countries to invest in or do business for 2019.

The Top Ten with their Averages:

1^st        Malaysia (85.8)

2^nd       Poland (85.2)

3^rd        Philippines (84.6)

4^th        Indonesia (84.4)

5^th        Australia (84.1)

6^th        Singapore (83.7)

7^th        India (83.6)

8^th        Czech Republic (82.6)

9^th        Spain (81.9)

10^th      Thailand (81.6)

Each year, CEOWORLD magazine ranks the world based on a variety of categories ranging from the world’s richest people to the best universities, top companies, and top executives.