Good corporate governance structures encourage companies to provide accountability and control. A fundamental reason why corporate governance has moved onto the economic and political agenda worldwide has been the rapid growth in international capital markets. Effective corporate governance enhances access to external financing by firms, leading to greater investment, higher growth and employment. Investors look to place their funds where the standards of disclosure, of timely and accurate financial reporting, and of equal treatment to all stakeholders are met. Which of the following statements best reflects the logical inference from the passage given above?

The passage explains that good corporate governance (GCG) involves accountability, control, disclosure, timely and accurate financial reporting, and equal treatment of stakeholders. Investors look for these qualities when deciding where to place their funds. Analyzing the options: A) It is an important agenda of the countries around the world to ensure access to good external financing. The passage states GCG is on the agenda due to international capital markets, and GCG *enhances* access to financing. While related, the passage focuses more on *why* GCG is important and its effects, rather than explicitly stating that *ensuring access to financing* is the primary agenda of countries. B) Good corporate governance improves the credibility of the firms. The passage lists investor requirements for GCG: "standards of disclosure, of timely and accurate financial reporting, and of equal treatment to all stakeholders." Meeting these standards inherently makes a firm more trustworthy and reliable in the eyes of investors, which is precisely what credibility means. This increased credibility then leads to enhanced access to external financing. This is a direct and logical inference. C) International capital markets ensure that the firms maintain good corporate governance. The passage states the *growth* of international capital markets made GCG an agenda item and that investors *look for* GCG. It implies an incentive for firms to adopt GCG to attract capital, but it doesn't say the markets *ensure* or enforce it on all firms. "Ensure" is too strong a word. D) Good corporate governance paves the way for robust supply chains. The passage makes no mention of supply chains whatsoever. This option is irrelevant to the provided text. Therefore, option B is the best logical inference because the qualities of good corporate governance (transparency, accountability, fair treatment) directly build trust and reliability, which are the foundations of a firm's credibility.