TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive summary v List of figures xiv List of tables xiv Abbreviations xv 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1.Background 1 1.2. Research problem 2 1.3. Aim 2 Objectives 2 1.5. Research framework 3 2. GLOBALIZATION AND COMPETITIVENESS 4 2.1. Cities and globalization 4 2.2. Global and world cities 4 2.3. Competitiveness and global ranking 6 2.4. MSMEs in India 12 2.5. Conclusion 16 3. DOING BUSINESS 17 3.1. Why focus on doing business? 17 3.2. Parameters 18 3.3. Assumptions 21 3.4. Indicators 21 3.5. Comparing nations for ease of doing business 22 3.6. Overview of Indian economy 22 3.7. Comparing cities for ease of doing business 28 3.8. Learning 33 4. STUDY AREA: INDORE 34 4.1. Introduction 34 4.2. History 34 4.3. Demography 35 4.4. Literacy and sex-ratio 35 4.5. Economic profile 36 4.6. Land-use 37 4.7. Development projects 38 4.8. MSMEs Indore 39 4.9. Business competitiveness of Indore city 41 4.10. Comparison of MSMEs in Indore and Ludhiana 44 4.11. Conclusion 45 5. PRIMARY SURVEY AND FINDINGS 45 5.1. Methodology 47 5.2. Processes 47 5.3. Role of agencies 57 5.4. Analysis 61 5.5. Why should the local bodies reform? 62 5.6. Benefits to ULBs 63 5.7. Inferences 64 6. RECOMMENDATIONS 64 6.1. Starting business 66 6.2. Dealing with construction permit 67 6.3. Registering property 69 6.4. Conclusions 69 7. CONCLUSION 69 References 76