Business
营商环境报告:东亚经济体继续大力推进改革议程改善营商环境
世界银行集团今天发布的《2019年营商环境报告:强化培训,促进改革》称,东亚太平洋地区各经济体继续大力推进改革议程,在过去一年里实施了43项改革以改善中小企业的营商便利度。
在东亚太平洋地区的25个经济体中,有两个经济体位列世界排名前十,即,新加坡(排名第2位)和中国香港特别行政区(上升一位至第4位)。中国跻身今年营商环境改善排名前十。中国在过去一年实施7项改革,创单年度记录,在全球排名中上升至第46位。马来西亚也取得显著改善,重新进入世界排名前二十的经济体行列,排名上升9位至第15位。
中国在报告涵盖的北京和上海两城市通过网络扩容和免费通电,使获得电力更加便利。为客户推出新的手机APP也使报装接电所需时间从143天缩短为34天。通过取消营业税,允许所有印花税联合申报和缴纳,并通过实施多项行政改革措施缩短合规纳税所需时间,使纳税更加便利。在办理施工许可方面,简化了申办施工许可证和注册登记新建筑物的程序,提高了质量控制标准。中国还通过加强股东在重大公司决策中的权利和作用,明晰所有权和控制结构,要求对股东产生的法律费用给予报销,从而加强了对少数投资者的保护。中国实施的其他改革还包括提升了开办企业、跨境贸易和登记财产的便利度。
马来西亚实施了6项改革,通过简化获得建筑许可的程序,使办理施工许可证更便利,通过推出商品及服务税(GST)在线注册系统,增加了开办企业的便利度。马来西亚还在其他领域进行了改革,包括推出在线单一窗口平台,使财产转移和公司办理破产更便利。
印度尼西亚和越南在过去一年里各进行了3项改革。在印尼,改革目的是简化开办企业、登记财产的手续,改善获得信贷的机会。在越南,改善措施提高了执行合同、纳税和开办企业的便利度。
在菲律宾,通过加强股东在重大公司决策中的权利和作用,以及明晰所有权和控制结构,加强了对少数投资者的保护。在开办企业方面,菲律宾简化了办理税务登记和营业许可证的程序,但增加了税务登记成本。增加进口检查的次数,加大了跨境贸易的难度,从而延长了边境合规所需要的平均时间。
其他国家的改革包括蒙古国通过降低原告费用,使执行合同变得更容易,而东帝汶通过降低最低实缴资本要求,减少了开办企业的成本。
编制《营商环境报告》的世行全球指标局高级经理丽塔·拉马霍说:“东亚太平洋地区在促进创业和私营企业方面取得了重大进展。随着该地区改革势头不断增强,掉队的经济体也有机会学习邻国采取的良好做法。”
该地区经济体在营商环境的办理施工许可证和获取电力领域表现良好。例如,建造一个仓库平均需要133天,成本不到仓库价值的2%,而全球平均水平为158天,成本为仓库价值的4.8%。
在执行合同等领域仍存在改善的空间,需要更广泛地采用国际良好实践,例如替代性争议解决制度和建立专门的商事法院。该地区四分之三的经济体没有专门审理商业案件的法院。此外,该地区解决商业纠纷的成本平均占索赔金额的47%,而全球的这一比例为33%。
在过去一年该地区进行的改革中,实施了10项使开办企业更加便利的改革,其中7项是使获得电力的过程便利化,5项是使办理施工许可证更容易、更安全。
自2003年营商环境项目开始以来,开办企业一直是东亚太平洋地区最普遍的改革领域。因此,该地区开办企业的平均耗时几乎缩短了一半,从2003年的50天缩短为28天,成本从2003年人均收入的59%大幅减少到现在的19%。
今年,《营商环境报告》收集了对政府官员和企业及土地注册登记处用户提供的培训数据。报告中的一个案例通过分析这些数据,发现对有关官员的强制性和年度培训与提高企业和土地注册登记效率相关。关于执行合同和处理破产的第二个案例研究了世界各地的法官教育和培训,发现印尼制度化的法官培训计划对成功实施建立小额索赔法院的改革措施和顺利通过新破产法起到了支持作用,压缩了审理破产案件所需时间。另外两个案例侧重于研究电工认证和海关官员培训的效益。
报告全文及其数据集参见:chinese.doingbusiness.org
Business
Democrat Claims Musk is Undermining Spending Bill Due to China Restrictions – The Hill
A Democrat claims Elon Musk influenced the reduction of a spending bill due to its restrictions on China, suggesting his actions impacted the legislation’s progress and funding allocation.
Allegations Against Musk
A prominent Democrat has accused Elon Musk of deliberately sabotaging a significant spending bill in response to China-related restrictions. This accusation comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly regarding technology and trade policies. The claims suggest that Musk’s influence is affecting critical legislative processes, raising concerns among lawmakers about foreign influence in American politics.
Implications for Legislation
The potential ramifications of Musk’s alleged actions could be significant. As a major player in the tech industry, his decisions can sway public opinion and impact the economy. Lawmakers fear that if influential figures like Musk oppose necessary legislation, it might hinder efforts to address vital issues such as national security and economic stability.
Political Reactions
The controversy has sparked debates among both Democrats and Republicans, highlighting the intersection of technology and politics. Many are demanding greater transparency and accountability from tech giants. As the situation unfolds, lawmakers may need to reassess their strategies to ensure that essential legislation moves forward uninterrupted.
Source : Democrat accuses Musk of tanking spending bill over China restrictions – The Hill
Business
HSBC Chairman to Head Key UK Business Delegation to China
HSBC Chairman Mark Tucker will lead a UK business delegation to China next month to boost trade and investment, amid concerns over national security and improving UK-China relations.
HSBC Chairman Leads UK Delegation to China
HSBC Chairman Mark Tucker will lead a pivotal British business delegation to China next month, marking the first significant visit since 2018. The trip aims to enhance Chinese investment in the UK, guided by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Tucker, a seasoned financier with extensive Asia experience, is regarded as essential in resetting UK-China relations.
Reviving Economic Dialogue
Tucker will accompany senior bankers in seeking to rejuvenate trade, specifically focusing on financial services. Although there are apprehensions among some UK lawmakers regarding national security threats posed by closer ties to Beijing, the UK Treasury spokesperson confirmed Chancellor Reeves’ upcoming discussions on economic cooperation in Beijing.
A Shift in UK-China Relations
Since suspending most dialogues following China’s imposition of a national security law in Hong Kong, UK-China relations have soured. Nevertheless, the Labour government is prioritizing improved ties with China, emphasizing investment opportunities. Reeves asserts the necessity of a pragmatic approach to benefitting national interests amid ongoing concerns voiced by some lawmakers about security risks.
Source : HSBC Chairman to lead pivotal UK business delegation to China
Business
Gordonstoun Severs Connections with Business Led by Individual Accused of Espionage for China
Gordonstoun school severed ties with Hampton Group over espionage allegations against chairman Yang Tengbo. He denies involvement and claims to be a victim of political tensions between the UK and China.
Allegations Lead to School’s Decision
Gordonstoun School in Moray has cut ties with Hampton Group International after serious allegations surfaced regarding its chairman, Yang Tengbo, who is accused of being a spy for the Chinese government. Known by the alias "H6," Mr. Tengbo was involved in a deal that aimed to establish five new schools in China affiliated with Gordonstoun. However, the recent allegations compelled the school to terminate their agreement.
Public Denial and Legal Action
In response to the spying claims, Mr. Tengbo publicly revealed his identity, asserting that he has committed no wrongdoing. A close associate of Prince Andrew and a former Gordonstoun student himself, Mr. Tengbo has strenuously denied the accusations, stating that he is a target of the escalating tensions between the UK and China. He has claimed that his mistreatment is politically motivated.
Immigration Challenges and Legal Responses
Yang Tengbo, also known as Chris Yang, has faced additional challenges regarding his immigration status in the UK. After losing an appeal against a ban enacted last year, he reiterated his innocence, condemning media speculation while emphasizing his commitment to clear his name. Gordonstoun, on its part, stated its inability to divulge further details due to legal constraints.
Source : Gordonstoun cuts ties with business chaired by man accused of spying for China