You are a business leader — great — but where is best to setup your next office? 10 best passports for investment opportunities
Let´s start with some truths. The rankings that tell you “Japan has the best passport, and Britain has slipped down the scale”, tell a story, but it’s not the whole story. In 2021 we enlisted academics and STI analysts to create a ranking that tells a different story, one that really matters.
We then re-evaluated thousands of data sources, pulling together the data that matters, including visa free access, but adding in mobility, investment opportunity and quality of life offered by each destination into a new, life-centric index that adds to the outdated rankings of old. What really matters for a start up owner, a business leader or anyone who is looking to expand operations to a different country is: What are the passports/ countries offering the best investment opportunities?
The Global Passport Index: The Investment Edition can answer this question and lots more. And without further ado, here is 2023's ranking of the best passports for investment:
1. Singapore
2. Hong Kong
3. United States of America
4. Macao
5. Monaco
6. United Arab Emirates
7. Qatar
8. Switzerland
9. Canada
10. Saudi Arabia
What makes a passport attractive for investment opportunities?
While each country will have its own strengths and weaknesses, we can certainly find some commonalities between the top-performing passports in our Investment Index.
First and foremost, the top countries in the index are generally peaceful countries, with progressive legislation, stable political and social systems, strong performing economies, and the ability to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.
I will share with you a quick analysis the top two countries in the Investment index:
SINGAPORE
In our Investment Index, the city-state performs well across all the criteria used to determine the level of investment opportunities in a country, including innovation capability, financial system, product market, market size, labour market, and business dynamism.
With progressive legislation, a GDP per capita of $102.450 and as a financial cornerstone for trade, Singapore has much to offer, with a personal tax rate of 22 percent. And, while the cost of living is very high, there are many incentives targeted towards attracting foreign investors and entrepreneurs, including a strong real estate market, tax incentives, and favorable lending options.
HONG KONG
Strategically located in Asia, with attractive tax benefits for investors — including a personal tax rate of 15 percent — and lucrative business opportunities, Hong Kong has cemented itself as one of the most innovative business hubs on the global stage, leading it to snap up second position in our Investment Index.
A melting pot of cultures, fostering trade between China, the USA, Japan, South Asia, and Taiwan, English is an official language here, making it easy to do business. With a GDP per capita of $70.700, Hong Kong performs well across all indicators, excelling in the strength of its financial system.
Go where you are welcomed
While each investor will be looking for something slightly different –whether it is to reduce risk, tackle another market, or double-down on what they know — our Investment Index provides a key tool to allow investors to compare countries against one another to determine the best place for them to put their money — for example in comparing personal taxation rates between two countries.
I highly recommend you to explore this comprehensive, user friendly too. With the right passport, you can do business freely and enjoy advantageous tax schemes.
