China plans further improving business environment
On 20 March 2018, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang held a press conference. The agenda of the meeting was devoted to business environment enhancement in China. Premier Li stressed that the government would implement new reforms, aimed at engaging more people in business activities.
Li Keqiang specified the measures to improve the situation: “We'll cut the time it takes for opening a business by another half; we will reduce the time required for reviewing a project application by another half; we will put in place, at the national level, an e-platform for accessing government services; we will work to see that our people can get things done in one office, without the need for a second trip; and we will ensure that any requirement for certification that has no basis in law or regulations will be abolished”.
Premier noted that it still takes 22 days on average, whereas it takes maybe less than a day in a developed country to open a business, and it takes even longer for one to get a construction permit in China.
However, in recent years the government adopted a number of laws and regulations that facilitated running business, e.g. business tax was replaced with value added tax. This measure is aimed to avoid tax duplications.
Besides, Premier Li assured the press that Chinese government would continue its work on protecting private property and improving the attractiveness of the PRC for investors.
Press-release at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC official web-site