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EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY
Excerpts from “The Global Information Technology Report 2007-2008”
Published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), April 2008
Analysis by RÉHAB EL-BAKRY
Information technology has become a necessity for business, economic and social development. The seventh “Global Information Technology Report” issued by the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights how developed and developing countries alike no longer see robust ICT infrastructure as a luxury, but rather as a basic utility for all citizens and businesses.
“Not only are the number of interconnections among individuals, businesses and governments increasing, but there is also increased recognition of connectivity as a key component of public infrastructure in general. New definitions portray high bandwidth connectivity as a necessity, perhaps even a public utility on the order of drinking water.”
The report highlights how developed countries are deploying new connectivity technology such as WiFi and WiMax as a way of ensuring continuous public access to information technology services. Developing countries, on the other hand, are using these types of wireless broadband connections heavily in rural areas in order to narrow the technology lag of poorer communities – a clear recognition of the impact that ICT can have on development.
“In large measure, [ICT has] contributed to digital literacy and fluency, as a platform for human capital growth that requires public investment. There are other, less tangible but equally crucial benefits of increased connectivity: in a wider social context, connectivity has been recognized as having a positive impact on transparency, good governance and democracy. There are also implications of increased connectivity that are currently in the process of being defined, particularly in areas such as urban systems, lifestyles and quality of life.”
ICT is moving higher up the policy agendas of many governments. It is recognized as a vital ingredient for a country’s competitiveness, economic growth, poverty alleviation and the ability to attract foreign direct investment.
“Facilitating access and effective use of ICT has increasingly moved to the top of national agendas in most developed and developing economies, while more resources are invested in ICT infrastructure upgrading and development.”
The WEF report is divided into four main parts. The first includes the findings of the Network Readiness Index (NRI), which ranks the performance of the 127 countries included in the report. It also includes insights on selected issues pertaining to network readiness and ways to foster innovation. The second part presents three case studies highlighting the efforts of countries and regions to foster network readiness. Parts three and four provide detailed data on each of the 127 countries included in the report, as well as the different variables included in the NRI.
Not surprisingly, European and North American countries dominated the report’s top rankings.
“Denmark is [...] number one in the Global Information Technology Report 2007-2008 for the second year consecutively, culminating an upward trend observed since 2003-04. [...] Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Norway [are] all among the most networked economies in the world, at 2nd, 6th and 10th positions, respectively. [...] Switzerland is up two places, at 3rd position, continuing last year’s impressive upward trend. [...] The United States improves three ranks to 4th place, continuing to benefit from one of the most efficient market environments and ITC-related infrastructures in the world.”
The rankings of Arab countries included in the report ranged from 29th place, held by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to 110th place, held by Syria. The position of the UAE remains unchanged compared to last year and it continues to lead the region in network readiness thanks to the prioritization of ICT by the government.
Egypt, ranked 63rd, boasts the biggest gain on the NRI, moving an “impressive” 17 notches up the ranking on account of its regulatory environment and state initiatives to embrace ICT.
“Egypt has advanced notably in the environment component, especially in the regulatory environment as well as in government readiness, pointing to an increased emphasis on ICT penetration in the national development strategy.”
Other Arab countries include in the rankings are Qatar, ranked 32nd; Tunisia, ranked 35th; Bahrain, ranked 45th; Jordan, ranked 47th; Kuwait, ranked 52nd; and Algeria, ranked 88th. Four new countries were also included in the rankings for the first time – Saudi Arabia, ranking 48th; Oman, ranking 53rd; Libya, ranking 105th; and Syria, ranking 110th.
Excerpts from this report are available on the WEF website at www.weforum.org
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