Pakistan nowhere on IT map due to lack of data: study

["Irfan Khan" <khania2@super.net.pk>]

Pakistan nowhere on IT map due to lack of data: study

Daily Times, Staff Report
2/19/2003
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_19-2-2003_pg7_12
  

WASHINGTON: Finland is the world leader in global information 
technology, according to a study released by the World Economic 
Forum.  

The Davos-based organisation which holds a high-powered conference of 
world’s financial and political leaders every year said the United 
States had fallen into second position, with Singapore at number 
three. Sweden was number three, followed by Iceland, Canada, United 
Kingdom, Denmark, Taiwan and Germany.  

India stood at number 37, while Pakistan was not assessed because of 
lack of data. Bangladesh figured at number 77 in the 82-country 
survey, with Haiti at the bottom of the list.  

The World Economic Forum said this was the the most comprehensive, 
cross-country assessment of the state of information technology 
around the world. The US, it said, continues to offer the best market 
environment for networked readiness, but slips from first to second 
placedue to less competitive performance in terms of connectivity and 
diffusion.  

The report benchmarks performance and monitors progress across 
nations amid a backdrop of continued consolidation in the technology 
sector and dramatic changes in the global economic and political 
landscape. The study specifically examines the networked readiness of 
the 82 economies according to market conditions, the political and 
regulatory framework, and the infrastructure for information 
technology. It also takes into account the readiness of individuals, 
the business community and government and the actual usage of 
information technology by the three stakeholders.  

Fiona Paua, economist at the World Economic Forum, stressed that 
“beyond just providing a yearly snapshot, the report intends to aid 
leaders in crafting the best policy environment for competing in a 
networked global economy. This annual assessment establishes a 
process whereby governments and other decision-makers can evaluate 
progress on a continual basis.”  

The highlights of the Global Information Technology Report (2002-
2003) are:  

The US continues to offer the best market environment for networked 
readiness, but slips from first to second place due to less 
competitive performance in terms of connectivity and diffusion of 
Information and Communications Technologies (ICT);  

Finland ranks first in the Networked Readiness Index, boosted by the 
best performance in terms of technology usage by its citizens, 
businesses and the government;  

Singapore which ranks third worldwide is most notable for ranking 
number one not only in terms of political/regulatory environment but 
also in terms of the readiness of its government to employ ICT in its 
internal processes and delivery of services.  



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