The World Bank has just released a study, “Doing Business in Central America and the Dominican Republic 2015” that compares business regulations in the six Central American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) and the Dominican Republic.
The study focuses on business in the capitals and other cities regarding regulations that affect the three defined stages in the life of a small to medium-size domestic company. The stages are starting a business, dealing with construction permits and registering property. The study also analyzes the indicator of trading across borders, considering seven main ports and three secondary ports. Moreover, it includes a gender perspective based on the study of laws and regulations that impose differential treatment for women.
In regards to where it is easier to do business in Central America and the Dominican Republic, the study found out that there are significant differences between cities in the DR. It observes that the best performing countries in starting a business are the ones that have implemented one-stop shops and online systems. Santo Domingo and Santiago ranked well in starting a business in the region.
http://www.doingbusiness.org/reports/subnational-reports/central-america-and-the-dominican-republic