Syria's position has advanced two levels in the Ease of Doing Business (EDB) Index 2012, ranking 134 internationally after it was 136 in 2011, 14 among Arab countries.

A report on the improvement of doing business and investment in the Arab world for the final quarter of 2011 issued recently by The Arab Investment and Export Credit Guarantee Corporation showed that Syria is among 7 Arab states whose positions have advanced in the EDB index, including UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Morocco and Mauritania.

The Index also showed that ten Arab states have deteriorated, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Tunisia, Jordan, Yemen, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, Algeria and Iraq.

The Index is based on the effect of reforms aimed at easing doing business through certain criteria, including starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency.

Syria's position has advanced according to the criterion of starting a business from 133 to 129, ranking 13 in the Arab world.