In the global report titled “Networked Readiness Index 2005,” which includes 115 countries, the World Economic Forum recently published findings on the utilization of computers and the Internet to enhance economic competitiveness. Vietnam scored -0.47, ranking 75th compared to its position at 68th in the 2004 report.
Among Southeast Asian countries, aside from Singapore, which is in the Top 10, the other nations have varying scores: Malaysia with 0.93 points (ranked 24th, up 3 places), Thailand with 0.35 points (34th, up 2 places), the Philippines at -0.37 points (70th, down 3 places), and Indonesia with -0.36 points (68th, down 17 places).
In this report, the United States reclaimed the number one position from Singapore, which fell to the “runner-up” position. The top 10 countries and territories leading the Networked Readiness Index 2005 include the United States, Singapore, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Canada, Taiwan, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
The Networked Readiness Index (NRI) by the World Economic Forum assesses how countries exploit opportunities created by information technology to promote development and enhance competitiveness. This index also establishes an international framework to identify positive factors that drive the ability to leverage these opportunities. The NRI reflects the state of information technology in an economy across three aspects: overall macroeconomic environment; legal framework along with information technology infrastructure; and the readiness of three components—Individuals, Businesses, and Governments—in utilizing the benefits of information technology, as well as how these entities employ the latest communication technologies in practice.
Augusto Lopez-Claros, Director of the Global Competitiveness Program at the World Economic Forum and co-author of the aforementioned report, affirmed: “Information and communication technology currently represents one of the most important drivers in enhancing efficiency and productivity in the rapidly changing modern economy.”
Phan Khuong
