From the perspective of international trade, the ease of doing business refers to the cost, time and procedures necessary for starting a business, obtaining construction permits, registering properties, getting credits, protecting investors, paying taxes, trad-ing across borders, enforcing contracts, employing workers and accessing electricity and water. All these factors comprise the Doing Business Index, which considers the aspects of business that matter to firms and investors or affect the competitiveness of an economy (World Bank and International Finance Corporation, 2013, 2014).