(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Sachin Kumar
DOHA: Qatar is among the most networked ready nations in the world as it ranks 27th in the world and second among the Arab nations in the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) of the Global Information and Technology Report 2016.
The NRI ranked 139 developed and developing countries. The report was released recently by World Economic Forum, in partnership with INSEAD and Cornell University. Qatar has maintained the same rank in the previous edition of the index released last year.
In the Arab world, the UAE was ranked ahead of Qatar. “The UAE (26th) and Qatar (27th) continue to lead the Arab world in networked-readiness,” said the report.
Bahrain ranks 28, followed by Saudi Arabia (33), Oman (52) and Kuwait (61). The index found Singapore as the highest-placed country in the world in terms of networked readiness.
Finland, which topped the ranking in 2014, remains in second place for a second year in a row, followed by Sweden (third), Norway (fourth) and the US (fifth). Making up the rest of the top 10 are the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, Luxembourg and Japan.
The report measures the drivers of the ICT (Information, Communication, Technology) revolution globally, using the NRI. The index assesses the state of networked readiness using 53 indicators. For each of the 139 economies, it allowed the identification of areas of priority to more fully leverage ICTs for socio-economic development.
“The digital economy is an essential part of the architecture of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. For digital technology to continue contributing economic and social impact, societies need to anticipate its effects on markets and ensure a fair deal for workers in digitised market environments.
“New models of governance will be key in this,” said Richard Samans, Head, Centre for the Global Agenda, and Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum Geneva.
“ ‘Digital"; is not just about technology. It is a state of mind and the source of new business models, new consumption patterns, new ways for business and individuals to organise, produce, trade and innovate.
“In the global game of digital innovation, the performance and progress made by emerging economies such as Singapore, the United Arab Emirates or South Africa for example are remarkable: they may hold the promise of even more spectacular improvements in the ways digital technologies will be harnessed to competitiveness, growth and social progress in the coming years,” said Bruno Lanvin from INSEAD.
“Measuring the economic and social impact of the digital economy is important for making appropriate policy decisions in both developed and developing economies. The Networked Readiness Index is a valuable tool for helping public and private sector leaders in leveraging the potential of technology,” said Soumitra Dutta, Cornell University.The Peninsula