This observation is provided in the 2006 edition of KPMG’s bi-annual Competitive Alternatives report.

Among the countries covered by the report, France and Holland were the most competitive, followed by Italy and the United Kingdom.

The KPMG Competitive Alternatives report measures 27 location-sensitive cost factors, including labour, social benefits, infrastructure, taxes, and public services, for several activity sectors in industrialized countries. The report’s 2006 edition includes a detailed analysis of the costs measured in 128 cities in nine countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Holland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The comparisons presented in the report are based on start-up and operating costs (after taxes) for 17 kinds of companies over a period of 10 years.

“Choosing the best location requires careful analysis of numerous factors, such as business costs, commercial environment, labour costs, and quality of life,” declares Mark Macdonald, director of KPMG’s advisory business in Canada. “The report presents a detailed comparison of business costs as well as essential information for any company seeking to expand its activities abroad in a favourable location in terms of cost.”

Visit the report website on www.competitivealternatives.com