The World Bank's representative working at the heart of the definitive 'Doing Business' rankings revisits the Indian government's pledge to improve the country's rating on global charts. The overall assessment is good but there is a long road ahead to achieve a truly business-friendly environment. The private sector is often described as the 'engine of economic growth', given its critical role in creating jobs, which enable citizens and countries to prosper. However, several factors, such as lack of access to finance or burdensome processes for starting a new business, can undermine private enterprise and, if left unaddressed, can impede growth.