Avenue Odd

Full Rankings and Details of the World Bank "Doing Business" report.

Adding to what is already a little treasure trove of accolades, Singapore has, for the third year running, clinched top spot for the Best Country to Do Business.

This year, reforms in two sectors - starting a business and dealing with construction permits - helped the city-state hold its place at number one.

Starting a business in Singapore can take as little as four days, thanks to vast improvements in the electronic business registration system.

Streamlined construction-permit application processes is the other major contributor to reaffirming its grip on the top spot. The entire process can be completed online, and in brief 38 days - that's the fastest time in the world for construction-permit application. Applicants can even choose to receive periodic E-mails or text messages that keeps them updated on the status of application.

While it might not be a common sentiment all Singaporeans, I sincerely do believe that what we have here in this city state is truly impressive and worth fighting for, if it comes to that.

To be sure, there are many issues that Singaporeans are not entirely euphoric about. Issues such as the Electronic-Road-Pricing schemes, rising costs of living (with no apparent rise in wages) and "losing out" to foreigners for jobs are prime examples.

Let it suffice to say though, that every nation has its own troubles. Looking at the world at large, the issues we have at hand immediately seem trivial. Zimbabwe has HIV problems, and is home to 11.3 million citizens of which an estimated 1.8 million are living with HIV. Their average life expectancy is 34 years for women and 37 years for men. Thailand is currently in political turmoil. Looming recession lurks the economies of the United States and Europe (and if history would be right, as it often proves itself to be, if they go into recession, it is unlikely that the impact will not be felt globally). Even the poles have the immediate concern of rising sea levels due to global warming.

While waiting for that hot coffee to arrive at your table, someone might have died of the heat that is characteristic of the climate recently, harvesting the very beans your coffee is being made from.

We take way too much for granted.