![\"\"](\"https:\/\/eba.com.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Odesa_eng.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
To understand and assess the current business sentiment in the regions, the European Business Association conducted a survey of company executives in the Southern region. Thus, 44%<\/strong> of respondents say that the conditions for doing business<\/strong> in the region are satisfactory, 37%<\/strong> say that it is difficult for them to do business and 19%<\/strong> believe that it is easy. The integrated index of the survey was 2.25 points out of 5 possible and was in last place among all regional offices of the Association.<\/p>\n Has it become easier to do business in the region?<\/strong> In general, none of the respondents gave a positive answer to this question. On the other hand, for 7%<\/strong> of entrepreneurs, the situation with the business environment in the Southern region has deteriorated over the past six months, and 11%<\/strong> even report a significant deterioration. At the same time, the vast majority \u2013 \u00a081%<\/strong> did not experience any changes in the business environment over the past 6 months.<\/p>\n Thus, corruption (25%) and bureaucracy (24%) continue to lead the anti-rating of the main obstacles to doing business in the region<\/strong>. Problems with unsatisfactory state of infrastructure (20%), lack of the rule of law (18%), and difficult relations with the authorities (11%) remain unresolved.<\/p>\n The activities of companies in the southern regions depend much on the capabilities of the transport complex in the region<\/strong>. But, according to business, no tangible steps have been taken in a year to improve the state of transport infrastructure. Compared to last year, the number of positive assessments of the state of infrastructure has decreased significantly. Only 4% of respondents believe that the transport infrastructure is in good condition and 26% that it is satisfactory. The majority of respondents complain about the poor state of infrastructure, namely 70%.<\/p>\n According to business, the situation with transport infrastructure in the region can be improved<\/strong> with the reconstruction of roads (45%), modernization of railways (32%) and river (13%) networks, airport (4%). And only 2% consider it necessary to build additional office space.<\/p>\n Regarding the quality of interaction with government agencies<\/strong>, business representatives complain about the work of the regional administration, city council, national police, courts, and environmental inspectorate. At the same time, the business has neutral relations with the regional customs, the state tax service, and the state employment service.<\/p>\n In addition, 48%<\/strong> of respondents believe that the level of <\/strong>e-services<\/strong> in the region is underdeveloped. Local entrepreneurs lack e-access to administrative services and permits. However, the number of satisfied with the volume and quality of e-services is still higher \u2013 \u00a052%.<\/p>\n