GST will further boost India’s ranking in ‘ease of doing business’, say bankers

The Ease of Doing Business report by the World Bank — which was released on October 31 — did not take into account the implementation of GST from July 1.

With the improvement in India’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report to the 100th place, bankers and experts have expressed hope that GST will strengthen the country’s position in future.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) replaced a patchwork of central and state levies on goods and services.(AFP file photo)

“Going forward, GST’s incorporation in next year’s assessment will provide another significant leap in doing- business rankings for India,” Yes Bank managing director Rana Kapoor said in a statement.

It is to be noted that the latest Ease of Doing Business report by the World Bank — which was released on Tuesday — did not take into account the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from July 1.

Passage of the GST Bill was clearly a watershed moment for the economy, but even otherwise there has been a sustained effort to simplify licensing and tax structures, thereby making India a much more investment-friendly place to do business, said Axis Bank MD Shikha Sharma.

According to KPMG, the next paradigm shift to top 50 is still a long way ahead and will require India to maintain a strong momentum.

The GST reform that did not get considered this year will drive India’s improvement in the next year’s assessment, but there is a need to continue to work on other areas including starting a businesses, trading across borders as well as land reforms, KPMG partner Nilaya Verma said.

The change in ranking reflects the outcome of a significant effort by central, state and city administrations, another consultancy firm PwC said.

The improved investment climate will give an impetus to several economic corridors that are ready for investors, it added.