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(Source: InternationalLiving.com)

Panama is the most business-friendly country for expatriates anywhere in the Americas, a major new study from InternationalLiving.com has found.

When compiling its Business Index 2011, the publications researchers examined factors such as visa requirements, nancing, how easy it is to set up a bank account, local taxes, business expenses, infrastructure and the local business culture in seven business-friendly countries.

Information and ratings were gathered from InternationalLiving.coms network of overseas editors and in-country attorneys, while researchers also spoke with expat entrepreneurs who have established businesses in each of the nations examined in the index.

Our Business Index 2011 was a chance to take a cold, hard look at which countries on our beat are the most business friendly for expat entrepreneurs to set up shop in, InternationalLiving.com editor Eoin Bassett explained.

Panama topped the Business Index 2011, with the gateway nation scoring solidly across each of the eight categoriesAccess to Capital, Ease of Start-up, Market Opportunities, Future Outlook, Rents and Leases on Commercial Premises, Language, Business Infrastructure and Local Business Culture.

Research found that Panama, which uses the U.S. dollar as its official currency, also boasts strong consumerism, a growing bilingual workforce and a standard of infrastructure beyond what is seen elsewhere in the region.

Panama was our stand-out performer, added Bassett. Its government has set up a number of programs and special zones in order to attract foreign investors and business people.

He continued, Its not just an attractive place for big businessesPanama is a great option for expats looking to set up anything from a restaurant to an import-export business to a B&B.

While the downturn has made it more difficult to do business in many countries around the world, Panama has buffered itself against the slowdown thanks to a string of mega-projects like the $ 5 billion Panama Canal expansion.

English-speaking Belize came second in the Business Index 2011, with the Caribbean nation performing well in three out of eight categories: Ease of Language, Business Infrastructure, and Business Culture.

Ecuador, which recently claimed first place in Internationalliving.coms Retirement Index 2011, came in third.

Editors Note: Members of the media have full permission to reproduce the two articles below either in part or in their entirety, once credit is given to InternationalLiving.com.

The Index, just released in the November issue of International Living magazine, can be read in detail here: Where to Start a Business Abroad: Our Seven Top Picks for the Year Ahead

Youll find an explanation of how each of the nations scored and what International Livings experts had to say about the Indexs top performers, here:

Business Index 2011What Our Experts Say

Media Contact: For information on InternationalLiving.com content republishing, available source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact Associate Editor Carol Barron, 772-678-0287 (US), CBarron(at)InternationalLiving(dot)com or visit: International Living Media Center. For automatic updates on most current stories, follow International Living Media on Twitter.

For more than 30 years, InternationalLiving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment.

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Paul Merriman, founder of Merriman Inc, an investment advisory firm in Seattle, discusses what he believes are the most important steps to take in order to become a successful investor.

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(PRWeb UK) March 30, 2011

People aged 55-74 in the UK are amongst the most prevalent older Internet users in Europe and, according to Age UK, feel more connected to their loved ones because of it. The statistics come during Age UK’s myfriends online week 2011, which encourages older people to use the Internet to connect with friends and family.

The statistics, collated by Eurostat(1), reveal that 43% of people aged 55-74 in the UK use the Internet frequently compared to an EU average of 28%. The UK tops European heavyweights Germany and France, where 33% and 40% of that age group regularly use the Internet respectively. However, we are still behind Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Norway and Sweden where over half of 55-74s regularly surf the Web.

The list below represents the percentage of people aged 55-74 who frequently use the Internet. The table shows the top 15 EU countries in rank order, as identified by Eurostat:

EU Rank – 2010:

EU average – 28%

1.    Luxembourg – 58%

2.    Norway – 58%

3.    Denmark – 55%

4.    Netherlands – 54%

5.    Sweden – 54%

6.    Finland – 47%

7.    United Kingdom – 43%

8.    France – 40%

9.    Belgium – 36%

10.    Germany – 33%

11.    Austria – 27%

12.    Estonia – 22%

13.    Hungary – 21%

14.    Slovenia – 20%

15.    Slovakia – 20%

Despite these positive statistics, six million people aged 65 and over in the UK have never been online(2). To enable more older people to access the Internet and enjoy its social benefits, such as keeping in contact with friends and family more easily, Age UK is this week running myfriends online week 2011 (21-27 March 2011). The Charity is calling on people with Internet skills to pledge to pass on their knowledge to an older friend, family member or neighbour who has never been online, or for older people to attend a local training event.

With nearly one million older people saying that they are often or always lonely(3), and over half (five million) of people aged 65+ saying that they consider the television as their main form of company(4), the Internet can be hugely important in allowing people to keep in contact with loved ones and helping to tackle feelings of isolation and loneliness.

New polling(5) commissioned by Age UK has shown that 63% of people aged 65 and over who use the Internet feel that since they have been online they have been able to keep in contact with friends and family more than before. The Charity also found that of those older people who do not use the Internet, nearly one in four (24%) feel that the Internet would be a useful way of keeping in contact with friends and family more easily, suggesting there is a growing awareness of the benefits that the Internet can bring.

Linda Robson, actress and Age UK ambassador, said: “It’s great to hear that older Brits are amongst those leading the way in Europe on Internet use. As a recent convert to the online world I know the fear that people might face when going online for the first time, but it really isn’t as scary as you think and the benefits are fantastic.

“That’s why it’s such a shame that millions of older people are still not online and missing out on everything the ‘net can offer, like keeping in contact with friends and family more easily. I’d urge anyone who enjoys making the most of the Internet to take the Age UK myfriends online week pledge and help teach someone who has never been online before to get involved!”

Helena Herklots, Services Director at Age UK, said: “Older Internet users are telling us that they are better connected to their loved ones because of the Internet, reinforcing that people of all ages can really benefit from being online. However, the challenge remains to enable the six million older people who have never been online before to use the Internet.

“To help get older people online, we need people of all ages who already use the Internet to pass on their knowledge to friends, family members and neighbours. If everyone helps one older person they know to get online, the UK’s older population could surf their way to the top of the European table, helping in the battle against social isolation along the way. As well as this, older people can get practical support and training by visiting their nearest myfriends online week event.”

Margaret Goodwin, 64 from Oxfordshire and the joint Age UK Internet Champion of the Year for 2011, said: “Having recently retired I was concerned that life might become lonely, however the Internet has ensured that this is not the case. I regularly use the Internet to keep in touch with friends and family around the world and have also got back in contact with family I had lost touch with. I’ve even tried Internet dating! If I can do it there is no reason why other people in later life can’t, so why not give it a go during myfriends online week?”

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