2. Business—Government Initiatives to SupportDr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister of FinanceBusiness—Government Initiatives to Support2. Dr PARMJEET PARMAR (National) to the Minister of Finance: What reports has he received on the performance of the New Zealand economy?Hon STEVEN JOYCE (Minister for Economic Development): on behalf of the Minister of Finance: Last week the World Bank released its annual Doing Business report. The 2017 report shows that for the first time New Zealand has been ranked first in the world for the ease of doing business up one place from last year and up from third in 2014. The report is made up of 10 different indicators that affect the conduct of a business. New Zealand ranks first in the world in half of these including starting a business dealing with construction permits registering property getting credit and protecting minority investors. This is an excellent result and highlights the good work Government agencies are doing through our comprehensive Business Growth Agenda to reduce the cost of doing business and grow jobs in New Zealand.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: What has contributed to New Zealand becoming the easiest country in the world to do business in?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: A range of things. The report notes for example our strong procurement model known as the Government Electronic Tenders Service which we have improved in recent years to make it easier for small New Zealand companies to tender for Government contracts. It highlights changes we have made to make paying taxes easier for companies and take less time and it notes that New Zealand is a world leader in the ease of starting a business. Reducing the regulatory burden is all part of creating a competitive and productive economy that provides more and better-paying jobs for New Zealanders and their families.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: What else is the Government doing to make it easier to do business in New Zealand?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: The Government's comprehensive Business Growth Agenda creates an environment where businesses have the confidence to invest in growth. It contains more than 300 separate initiatives including building better infrastructure like roads of national significance and ultra-fast broadband; encouraging domestic and foreign investment in the economy; training more highly skilled New Zealanders to contribute to our growth; encouraging research and development; developing our significant natural resources while protecting our environment; improving access to markets offshore through free-trade agreements; and reducing non-tariff trade barriers. There is always room to improve further and the Government will continue to work hard to make it easier to do business.Dr Parmjeet Parmar: What reports has he received showing support amongst small businesses for the Government's economic programme?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: Small businesses are very important of course because they are a big part of our economy. I have received a report titled Small businesses signal election priorities" from Mind Your Own Business (MYOB). MYOB's report found that 42 percent of the businesses surveyed—over 1000—expect revenues to increase in the next year with just 11 percent expecting a fall reflecting the benefits of a growing economy. MYOB goes on to say: "People do trust John Key and Bill English's economic management. There is a strong sense in the small business community that the country is on the right track." The World Bank's doing business report underlines that small businesses have confidence—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! There has been quite a lot of interjection this afternoon and a reasonable amount I will accept but when it becomes a barrage so that I cannot hear the balance of the answer then I will deal with it more severely. Does the Minister wish to complete his answer?Hon STEVEN JOYCE: No."