NEW YORK — Israel is the most attractive country in the Middle East for venture capital and private equity investment, according to a new survey.

Israel comfortably beat regional competitors United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to rank 22nd overall in The Global Venture Capital and Private Equity Country Attractiveness Index, which was published on November 23 by global accountants Ernst & Young.

The index measures a country’s attractiveness to outside investors based on its social, cultural and economic environment, taxation, governance and business infrastructure.

Israel showed a major improvement in taxation since the first survey four years ago and also scored high marks for fostering entrepreneurial opportunities.

But Israel slipped in the human and social categories as a result of an unstable security situation.

JTA