India ranks 8th on minority investors' protection: World Bank

Washington: India is ranked 8th globally when it comes to protection of minority investors, ahead of many developed economies including the US, Germany and Japan.

China is ranked much lower at 134th and India is ranked best among all BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

This is part of the latest 'Doing Business 2016' report of the World Bank that covers 189 economies and where India's overall ranking for ease of doing business has remained low at 130th position, despite an improvement since the last year.

The sub-ranking for protecting minority investors is topped by Singapore, New Zealand and Hong Kong jointly at the first position. Malaysia and the UK share the fourth position, followed by Canada (6th rank) and Slovenia (7th).

This is the only sub-ranking where India figures among the top-ten countries globally and reflects the reforms carried out with regard to regulations for companies and capital markets including by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

India shares the eighth position with Albania, Ireland, Israel, Mongolia and Korea with regard to the protection of minority investors.

While India's ranking has remained the same from the last year, the country is still ahead of many developed and major developing nations including the US (35th rank), Japan (36), Germany (49) and Australia (66).

Among BRICS nations, South Africa is at 14th position, Brazil is 29th and Russia is at 66th place.

The annual report, that assesses ease of doing business activities in 189 economies, has ranked India at the 130th spot in overall ranking that is based on ten factors, including protection of minority investors.

India has improved overall position from 142nd rank last year and the same ranking rose to 134 after taking into data corrections.

The overall ranking is based on ten factors -- starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency.

Last year, the report had said that India strengthened minority investor protections by requiring greater disclosure of conflicts of interest by board members, increasing the remedies available in case of prejudicial related-party transactions and introducing additional safeguards for shareholders of privately held companies.