Singapore looks set to remain as the world's most investor-friendly location from 2014 to 2018, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)'s latest Business Environment Rankings (BER). 

The city-state also ranked first from 2009 to 2013.

Source:  Economist Intelligence Unit

The only other Asian country in the top ten for the next five years is Hong Kong, which remains in third place.

According to the report, Asia's best performers share several common factors - a favourable policy environment, especially for finance and foreign investment, with competition policies that include international best practice.

EIU foresees migration of skilled labour within Asia to be relatively unimpeded. Companies will be able to expand or reduce their workforce with ease, as well as have the freedom to hire foreign nationals and set wages.

Compared with other areas of the business environment however, Singapore fared relatively poorly in the infrastructure category in the BER.

While some of Asia's infrastructure is excellent, particularly in telecoms and air transport, EIU highlighted other areas require investment to improve distribution networks and utilities provision, as well as lower office rents.

Muneerah Bee, Senior Journalist at PropertyGuru, wrote this story. To contact her about this or other stories email muneerah@propertyguru.com.sg / www.propertyguru.com.sg