12 December 2003
Source:
http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/products/washfile.html
US State Department
Washington File
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department
of State. Web site:
http://usinfo.state.gov)
11 December 2003
White House's Marburger speaks at Information Society Summit
John Marburger, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, says every country has the potential to develop an information-based economy.
In a December 11 address delivered to the plenary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) meeting in Geneva, Marburger said that technical innovation relies on an infrastructure of science, skills and a nurturing environment for entrepreneurial fulfillment.
"My country is deeply committed to this algorithm of technology-based innovation," he said. "We endeavor to be a leader in its application." He said the U.S. government invests more than $2 billion annually in information technology R&D activities, including aspects of large-scale and broadband networking, advanced computing, software and information management technologies.
Marburger also said the United States is incorporating information and communication technology (ICT) throughout its international assistance efforts. For example, the Digital Freedom Initiative, launched in Senegal earlier this year and expanded to Peru and Indonesia in November, is helping entrepreneurs make more effective use of information technology, leveraging existing infrastructure to expand connectivity, and promoting pro-growth policy and regulatory reform. There are plans to expand the program to a dozen countries over the next five years.
Marburger told the summit delegates that innovation in the development and use of ICTs depends on the following key principles: domestic policies must encourage investment in research and innovation; investment in training and education to utilize ICTs is essential because infrastructure without people capable of using it is doomed; and ICT products -- tools, networks and media content -- must be protected to the maximum possible extent.
"These are the principles of success," he said. "Each nation that applies them will, we have no doubt, advance the prosperity of its people and the quality of its way of life."
Following is the text of Marburger's address:
(begin text)
The World Summit on the Information Society
December 11, 2003
John Marburger, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy
Executive Office of the President
Information and communication technology (ICT) is a key to the future prosperity of all nations.
Prosperity in the United States owes much to this technology. Today the information and communication technology industry comprises only eight percent of all enterprises in the American economy, but it produces twenty-nine percent of U.S. exports, generates high quality jobs, and contributes strongly to our productivity growth in all sectors. An estimated forty percent of U.S. productivity growth between 1995 and 2002 has been attributed to information technology. Our ability to seize the opportunities afforded by information and communication technology depends upon a philosophy of shared optimism about the power of individual creativity and entrepreneurship as the ultimate source of economic strength.
These human capabilities are universal. Every country has the potential to develop an information-based economy. For this reason the United States welcomes the global consensus that has emerged this week.
Technical innovation does not occur in a vacuum. It relies on an infrastructure of science, of skills, and of a nurturing environment for entrepreneurial fulfillment. My country is deeply committed to this algorithm of technology-based innovation. We endeavor to be a leader in its application. Our President, George W. Bush, has made continual development of the science and technology infrastructure for ICT a high priority. Our Government today invests more than two billion dollars annually in information technology research and development activities including aspects of large scale and broadband networking, advanced computing, software, and information management technologies.
The United States is already demonstrating its commitment to expanding international digital opportunity by incorporating information and communication technology throughout our international assistance efforts. Our Digital Freedom Initiative, for example, launched in Senegal earlier this year and expanded to Peru and Indonesia in November, is helping entrepreneurs make more effective use of information technology, leveraging existing infrastructure to expand connectivity, and promoting pro-growth policy and regulatory reform. We hope to expand the program to a dozen countries over the next five years.
Realizing this potential depends on the cultivation of science, skills, and business infrastructure. Innovation in the development and use of ICTs depends on three key principles:
First, domestic policies must encourage investment in research and innovation. This means supporting privatization, competition, and liberalization. Private investment is by far the largest source of funds for deployment of the world's communications and information networks, but its power cannot be released without stable and positive social and business environments. The consensus achieved this week supports this conclusion.
Second, investment in human capacity to utilize ICTs is essential. Infrastructure without people capable of using it is doomed. A trained and well-educated workforce is required to bring it to life. A vital communications infrastructure expresses the full range of cultural imagination, without the divisive barriers of censorship. Uncensored print and broadcast media bring new perspectives on old issues, and stimulate timely responses to emerging social needs. During the past week States have affirmed their commitment to freedom of the press as well as to independence, pluralism, and diversity of the media. We call upon all countries to affirm and implement Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Third, all consumers, innovators, and producers of content must have confidence their work will not be in vain. ICT products -- tools, networks, media content -- must be protected to the maximum possible extent. Respect for intellectual as well as physical property is a necessary part of the social infrastructure for success. This is an issue that transcends national boundaries, but together we can create a global culture of network security that seeks to protect users, no matter where they live. The consensus achieved this week emphasizes the importance of cyber-security.
These are the principles of success. Each nation that applies them will, we have no doubt, advance the prosperity of its people and the quality of its way of life.
The United States believes that this Summit is poised to take a significant step to enable all people to reap the benefits offered by the Information Society. We are committed to close partnership with governments, the private sector, civil society and international organizations to implement the common vision of increased prosperity through information technology.
Thank you.
11 December 2003
White House science advisor addresses Information Society Summit
By Charlene Porter
Washington File Staff Writer
Geneva -- Addressing the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) December
11, the top scientific advisor in the Bush administration emphasized the
contribution that information technologies have made to U.S. productivity
and their potential to do so for all nations.
"Information and communication technology (ICT) is a key to the future prosperity of all nations," said John H. Marburger, science advisor to the president and director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). He delivered a keynote speech to the meeting where delegates from 176 nations and hundreds of other agencies and non-governmental organizations have convened to examine how to allow all the world's people to enjoy the benefits that are created by advanced information and communication technologies.
"An estimated 40 percent of U.S. productivity growth between 1995 and 2002 has been attributed to information technology," Marburger said. "Our ability to seize the opportunities afforded by information and communication technology depends upon a philosophy of shared optimism about the power of individual creativity and entrepreneurship as the ultimate source of economic strength."
Speaking in a Washington File interview on the sidelines of the summit, Marburger elaborated on this message, emphasizing that the sheer volume of information on the Internet provides resources for individuals to solve problems in new ways.
"The knowledge of the world is becoming accessible to everyone," he said. "And those countries that separate themselves from it simply will not be able to compete. They're denying their people the opportunity to be aware of ... things that make life rich."
The nations assembled in Geneva for WSIS are set to adopt a declaration of principles that emphasizes freedom of the media and freedom of access to knowledge as important pillars in the Information Society. Ensuring those freedoms has been a key priority for U.S. negotiators involved in crafting that document.
Nations with a history of governmental control over the media may come to that agreement hesitantly, Marburger said, but he added that widely available information should not be viewed as a threat or an inevitable source of discord. Rather, enhanced capabilities for social communication will strengthen cultures, he said.
"The Internet -- far from destroying culture -- actually reinforces it, because it gives voice to everyone in a society. ... Giving people a voice usually has the effect of relaxing tensions," Marburger said.
The OSTP director brings a broad range of experience to his observations about the Internet and advances in communications technologies. Prior to accepting a presidential appointment, he served in two fields that have undergone dramatic change as a result of advances in information technology -- science and education. Marburger worked as a professor of physics and later went on to serve as director of the prominent research center, the Brookhaven National Laboratory. He is also a former president of the State University of New York at Stony Brook.
Marburger reflected on how information technologies have changed scientific research. "It has enhanced our ability to tap into more people, work more efficiently with people, arrive at the results faster and push the process of research and the applications of research much, much more rapidly," Marburger said. These capabilities have also allowed science to engage in much more international collaboration than was possible in the past, he added.
These capabilities are not reserved for scientists alone, Marburger said. Even schoolchildren today can engage in international collaborative educational projects by virtue of advanced information technologies.
"I believe this is a major contributor to mutual understanding among different cultures," he said.
During his experience as the administrator of a large university, Marburger said, he also saw how information technology advances can change the operations of large institutions, creating greater efficiencies, improving communications and enhancing creativity.
In any large institution -- government, corporate or academic -- administrative functions such as payroll and benefits have changed significantly with advanced computer programs capable of handling more data and processing it in a variety of specialized ways. Marburger said these developments have had far-reaching effects.
"People were concerned when computers were being introduced that they would dehumanize the organization, but I believe the reverse is true," Marburger said. "Having the ability to deal with all the individual differences means that the institution can be more human and more responsive to individual needs."
10 December 2003
Delegates reach agreement on summit declaration and action plan
The U.S. delegation to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva says international delegates have achieved consensus on a set of priority issues that highlight the fundamental building blocks of an information society -- infrastructure development, human capacity building and network security.
In a press release issued December 10, the delegation said it was pleased with the international community's adoption in preparatory meetings earlier in the week of the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action. The summit opened December 10 and runs through December 12.
The delegation said that by agreeing to the two documents, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the importance of the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) "to promote peace, security and stability and to enhance democracy, respect for human rights, open and transparent government and the rule of law."
The delegation said WSIS delegates identified and achieved consensus on a series of difficult issues, and by doing so affirmed their commitment to freedom of the press. States also agreed that achieving ubiquitous and affordable access to ICT infrastructure and services requires a stable, predictable and fair national economic climate, and that all stakeholders must act nationally and internationally to foster a global culture of cyber security.
In addition, a global consensus was developed around a multi-stakeholder approach to the Internet. "We are pleased that commercial and economic interests from around the world will continue to have a center seat at the table in the development of the Internet," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce Michael Gallagher.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
The U.S. Delegation to the World Summit on the Information Society
December 10, 2003
Geneva -- The United States welcomes and joins in the global consensus that has emerged this week in final preparations for the United Nations' World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS). We believe that the keys to prosperity in the Information Society are education, individual creativity and an environment of economic and political freedom. Access to information is at the core of a truly inclusive Information Society.
"The success of the WSIS lies in the extent to which the global community has outlined a vision of the information society that truly enhances our lives and embraces and encourages freedom in all regions of the world", said Ambassador A. Gross, the Head of the U.S. Delegation to the WSIS.
As part of the WSIS process, the global community has come together for the first time to recognize that information and communication technologies (ICTs) are a key element of political progress, economic growth, and social development. By agreeing to the Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, the United States reaffirms our commitment to the importance of the use of ICTs to promote peace, security and stability and to enhance democracy, respect for human rights, open and transparent government and the rule of law.
Throughout the rigorous preparatory process, the United States has emphasized a set of priority issues that highlight the fundamental building blocks of an Information Society -- infrastructure development, human capacity building, and network security. We are pleased that through the adoption of the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action, the international community recognized these elements as critical to achieving our common vision.
The delegates to the WSIS identified and achieved consensus on a series of difficult issues that represent key challenges presented by the Information Society. First, States have affirmed their commitment to freedom of the press, as well as to the independence, pluralism and diversity of the media. The United States believes that the principle free flow of information, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, lies at the heart of the Information Society.
Second, states agreed that achieving ubiquitous and affordable access to ICT infrastructure and services requires a stable, predictable and fair national economic climate that can attract private capital and the development of human capacity through education and training.
The WSIS also recognized that building confidence and security in the use of ICTs is a critical element of the Information Society and that all stakeholders must act nationally and cooperate internationally to foster a global culture of cyber security. The United States welcomes the plan of action that will involve all participants in this global effort.
In addition, a global consensus was developed around a multi-stakeholder approach to the Internet. "We are pleased that commercial and economic interests from around the world will continue to have a center seat at the table in the development of the Internet," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce Michael D. Gallagher. "That model has served the United States and the world digital economy very well. The progress at this WSIS Conference will continue the worldwide dialogue on how to boost the growth of the Internet and extend the global benefits that come from open markets and commerce."
The WSIS also acknowledged the importance of intellectual property to the Information Society. The United States believes that the contributions made to the Information Society by creators and inventors are essential. Through existing intellectual property protection agreements these contributions are protected so that innovation and creativity by all people are encouraged. The wide dissemination of knowledge is also important to the Information society and we are pleased to have this reaffirmed by the WSIS.
We believe that the Summit will be another step to enable all of our citizens to reap the benefits offered by the Information Society. The United States notes with great satisfaction the commitment of the WSIS to the inclusion of all stakeholders in the development and expansion of the information society. We are committed to working in close partnership with governments, the private sector, civil society and international organizations to implement the common vision of the future set out in the WSIS Declaration of Principles and Plan of Action.
10 December 2003
OPIC makes announcement at summit on information society
The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) announced December 10 that it is devoting $400 million to new efforts to expand information and communication technologies in emerging markets, according to a press release.
Announcing the initiative at the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva, Switzerland, OPIC President Peter Watson said the agency will use the new financing to support joint ventures between U.S. companies and emerging market partners that will promote IT development and assist lesser developed nations in overcoming the digital divide.
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
OPIC: Overseas Private Investment Corporation
December 10, 2003
OPIC ANNOUNCES $400 MILLION SUPPORT FACILITY FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS & IT SECTORS
GENEVA, Switzerland - Dr. Peter Watson, president and CEO of the overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), announced today that OPIC would establish a preliminary $400 million support facility to encourage U.S. investment in the telecommunications and information technology (IT) sectors of emerging markets globally. The facility is the latest of several agency initiatives intended to increase investment in those sectors.
Dr. Watson made the announcement at the World Summit on the Information Society.
The OPIC facility will be used specifically to support U.S. investments in telecommunications and IT projects which promote the use of information and communication technology (ICT)-based products, networks, services and applications to assist countries in overcoming the digital divide. In so doing, it addresses several of the major goals outlined by the summit organizers.
"Dependable and current telecommunications and IT infrastructure represent a cornerstone for sustainable development and economic growth in emerging markets around the world. And, as the summit recognizes, the private sector will play a critical role in developing and diffusing new technologies to those markets. For those reasons, and because the sector is a strategic priority for OPIC, we are establishing a support facility to help draw U.S. investment into new markets internationally," Dr. Watson said.
"Telecommunications and IT industries will in particular catalyze 'old economy' sectors such as education, health and agriculture, as well as create opportunities in newer sectors, including e-business and software development. We at OPIC are pleased to contribute meaningfully to the summit and its estimable goal of reducing the digital divide between the developed and developing worlds. This OPIC support is an initial step toward reaching that goal," he added.
Dr. Watson noted that the announcement followed other recent OPIC initiatives targeting the telecommunications and IT sectors.
In October, he announced that OPIC would establish a $150 million support facility to promote information and communications technology partnerships between the U.S. private sector and Brazil, thereby advancing the Bush Administration's "One Hemisphere" initiative to create common markets for North and South America by promoting common standards for the next wave of technological upgrades. OPIC also recently announced its support for a Global Sector Fund-focused on equity investments in communications, retail, services & specialized manufacturing, with a total capitalization target of up to $1.2 billion.
OPIC was established as an agency of the U.S. government in 1971. It helps U.S. businesses invest overseas, fosters economic development in new and emerging markets, complements the private sector in managing risks associated with foreign direct investment, and supports U.S. foreign policy. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers.
OPIC's political risk insurance and financing help U.S. businesses of all sizes invest in more than 150 emerging markets and developing nations worldwide. Over the agency's 32-year history, OPIC has supported $145 billion worth of investments that have helped developing countries to generate more than 680,000 host-country jobs. OPIC projects have also generated $65 billion in U.S. exports and created more than 254,000 American jobs.
Visit OPIC on the web at www.opic.gov
10 December 2003
Information Society summit reaches agreement on action plan
By Charlene Porter
Washington File Staff Writer
Geneva -- The U.S Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) announced December 10 it will expand its activities to nurture the growth and development of information communications technologies in emerging markets. At the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), OPIC President Peter Watson said the agency will establish a $400 million fund to encourage U.S. investment in telecommunications projects that will help other nations build access to the latest information technologies (IT).
"Dependable and current telecommunications and IT infrastructure represent a cornerstone for sustainable development and economic growth in emerging markets around the world," said Watson. "And, as the summit recognizes, the private sector will play a critical role in developing and diffusing new technologies to those markets."
OPIC is an agency of the U.S. government devoted to supporting sustainable economic development through the establishment of public-private partnerships. The agency already has made a substantial commitment to the information technology sector with a record $5 billion flowing to almost 200 projects in markets in Latin America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. OPIC's intent with these projects is to promote a more efficient use of advanced technologies in order to help developing countries enter the global marketplace more rapidly, bringing greater economic opportunity to their citizens.
For example, OPIC has recently provided a $50-million loan guaranty that will help a joint American-Bolivian enterprise expand the wireless telecommunications network in Bolivia to offer more services to customers and improve the coverage and availability of its service.
At a news conference, Watson said the new program will be devoted to helping existing economic sectors in developing countries -- such as education, health and agriculture -- join the IT revolution that has helped improve productivity and increase efficiency in businesses and enterprises in developed countries.
"Telcoms and the information technology sector catalyze the ability of those sectors to be able to be integrated" into the international economy, Watson said.
The head of the U.S. delegation to WSIS, Ambassador David Gross, was also on hand for the press conference and expressed U.S. satisfaction with the outcome of negotiations on the Declaration of Principals and a Plan of Action that are expected to be formally adopted December 12 by the almost 200 governments participating in this U.N. General Assembly sanctioned meeting.
"We look forward to the approval of those two documents. We think they are both excellent documents that reflect the views of the United States and all the rest of the nations of the world," said Gross, noting unanimous agreement on the documents following a prolonged negotiating process that ended December 9.
The documents reflect the priorities that the United States emphasized during
the course of negotiations -- freedom of the press, freedom of expression
and a form of Internet governance that is led by the private sector.
"We are very pleased to see that intellectual property rights and their
importance to the information society are reflected (in the documents) as
well as our interest in making sure that knowledge is spread far and wide
throughout the world in a variety of forms and formats," said Gross, the
U.S. coordinator for international communications and information policy.
The declaration and action plan also call for the establishment of a study group that will examine the various efforts now underway both bilaterally and multilaterally to develop the IT industry in lesser-developed nations. The working panel will assess the various mechanisms now in play, determine how well they are working and recommend whether some other approach is necessary in the future.
This studied approach was an alternative to the creation of a "Digital Solidarity Fund" that had been advocated by many lesser-developed nations. It would have served as an international agency to help provide aid for the expansion of the IT sector in struggling nations.
Underscoring the current U.S. initiatives to provide assistance to a similar end, Gross said the United States was reluctant to support the proposal for a fund due to the many uncertainties that surrounded the proposal.
"We don't know who is going to run the fund; who will it benefit, who will fund it, and most fundamentally, is there any need for a new international fund?" Gross said. Providing direct assistance to governments already working to create a strong private sector IT infrastructure with a free and open regulatory environment is the most effective way to stimulate advancement and bring the benefits of advanced information technologies to the peoples of lesser developed nations, Gross said.
WSIS was designed from the outset as a two-phase meeting. A second summit is to be held in Tunis in November 2005 for an evaluation of what has been achieved in the plan of action. Gross said that will be a time to chart the progress of goals set in Geneva, and to decide whether different approaches for bridging the digital divide are necessary.
Some observers of the process unfolding at this summit devoted to bringing more information, more knowledge and more opportunities to all the peoples of the world have expressed skepticism that the process can have a significant impact. Gross acknowledged that only time will assess the sincerity of governments making a pledge in Geneva to support freedoms of expression, of the media and of access to information. The summit's declaration speaks with such clarity on the importance of those freedoms, Gross said, that WSIS will have an impact on giving more people the benefits of IT advancements.
The documents "will be used and referred to by individuals and organizations and will continue to be a moral compass for countries as we go forward," he said.
09 December 2003
Says nation leads world in ICT innovation
The United States remains the most innovative country in the world in the use of information and communication technology (ICT), according to a report by the World Economic Forum.
A December 9 press release on the third annual Global Information Technology Report says that once again the United States has underlined its supremacy in the field of information technology, topping this year's rankings of the Networked Readiness Index, which measures how prepared each nation's economy is to participate in and benefit from ICT developments.
According to the report -- which was produced in cooperation with the World Bank's infoDev and the international business school INSEAD -- the United States was ranked at the top of the list in the quality of its scientific research institutions and in the number of new patents. In terms of usage, the United States came in first overall with high marks for its government online services and reached the top position for the number of computers installed in business per 1,000 inhabitants.
Singapore holds second place in this year's index, reflecting the success of its public-private partnerships to promote ICT penetration and usage. The Nordic countries also continue to outperform others in the rankings, with Finland, Sweden and Denmark in third, fourth and fifth places respectively.
This year's report made special efforts to increase the coverage of emerging economies by including 20 more developing countries, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa. Bruno Lanvin, program manager of infoDev, said the report shows that not only have some of the less developed economies started to take advantage of the ICT revolution, "but also that networked readiness can be a very powerful tool to fight poverty."
General information on the report is available at the following Web site: http://www.weforum.org/gitr
Following is the text of the press release:
(begin text)
World Economic Forum
December 9, 2003
USA ONCE AGAIN TOPS THE RANKINGS IN THE GLOBAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY REPORT
The United States continues to lead the world in innovation
Geneva, Switzerland -- With total coverage of 102 economies worldwide and produced for the third consecutive year, The Global Information Technology Report has become the world's leading assessment of the impact of information technology on the development of economies. Once again the United States has underlined its supremacy in the field of Information Technology. The US scored particularly well in a number of areas: at the top in the quality of its scientific research institutions and in the number of new patents. In terms of the "Usage Component Index", it came in first overall with high marks for its government online services and reached the top position for the number of computers installed in business per 1,000 inhabitants.
"Technological innovation is fundamental to competing in the knowledge economy, and once again the United States has proven its superiority in the field," said Report co-author Fiona Paua of the World Economic Forum.
The Report is produced by the World Economic Forum in cooperation with INSEAD and the World Bank's infoDev. A key part of the Report, the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), measures how prepared each economy is to participate in and benefit from information and communication technology (ICT) developments.
"The use and application of ICT remain one of the most powerful engines for economic growth. ICT also continues to be the best hope for developing countries to accelerate the development process. More than ever, we must all intensify our efforts to enable individuals, businesses and governments to benefit more fully from the use and application of ICT," said Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.
Under the theme "Towards a more Equitable Society," The Global Information Technology Report is released at a time when ICT is widely recognized as a key driver of the process of economic and social growth of both industrialized and emerging economies. More importantly, ICT continues to provide considerable prospects in the development process of less-developed countries. Therefore, in keeping with the theme, special efforts were made to increase the coverage this year to include 20 more developing countries, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa.
"It used to be a common view that information technology and poverty reduction were at the two opposite ends of the spectrum of development policies. This year's Global Information Technology Report shows that not only have some of the less developed economies started to take advantage of the ICT revolution, but also that networked readiness can be a very powerful tool to fight poverty," said Bruno Lanvin, Programme Manager of infoDev at the World Bank.
The Networked Readiness Index examines the readiness of economies according to three dimensions: the general macroeconomic and regulatory environment for ICT, the readiness of the three key stakeholders -- individuals, businesses and governments -- to use and benefit from ICT, and their current usage of ICT.
Soumitra Dutta, Professor of Business and Technology at INSEAD, explained: "The Index is designed to assess the success of economies in terms of ICT development and usage and thereby provide a unique and valuable benchmarking tool for policy-makers, business leaders and other stakeholders in society to determine a nation's strengths and weaknesses with respect to ICT and to evaluate its progress on a continual basis."
Highlights of the Results of the Networked Readiness Index 2003
a. The United States tops the rankings this year of the Networked Readiness Index 2003. This is primarily due to its superior ranking in the usage of ICT by businesses and the government. The country also remains the most innovative in the world, which has allowed it to maintain its leadership in the rankings over the last three years.
b. Reflecting the success of its public-private partnerships to promote ICT penetration and usage, Singapore holds second place in this year's Index. This compares to its eighth position two years ago.
c. Nordic countries continue to outperform in the rankings, with Finland, Sweden and Denmark in third, fourth and fifth places respectively. These countries post among the highest ICT penetration rates, which have buoyed them to places within the top ten in the rankings over the last three years.
d. Following Singapore in Asia are Japan in 12th place, Taiwan in 17th place, Hong Kong SAR in 18th place, Korea in 20th place and Malaysia in 26th place. India and China are ranked 45th and 51st respectively.
e. Estonia is the leader of eastern European countries with a rank of 25. Its performance is enhanced by an excellent political and regulatory framework for ICT.
f. Chile (ranked 32nd) and Brazil (ranked 39th) post the highest rankings among Latin American countries. Chile and Brazil are both notable for having demonstrated rapid growth in the number of Internet users over the last three years, increasing 472% and 309% respectively.
g. Among the 25 African countries included in the Index rankings, South Africa is first, positioned in 37th place overall, boosted by a favourable political and regulatory environment. Succeeding South Africa in the region are Tunisia (ranked 40th), Mauritius (ranked 43rd) and Botswana (ranked 55th).
h. Among emerging markets, Israel's performance is noteworthy, posting a rank of 16 overall; its ranking is enhanced by outstanding scores in the availability of scientists and engineers, the quality of scientific research institutions and the availability of venture capital.
i. A comparison of the Networked Readiness Index scores over the last three years shows that the Digital Divide between the most developed and least developed economies is narrowing. This is encouraging news for key ICT stakeholders in less developed economies.
The Global Information Technology Report 2003-2004 consists of three main parts: the first part presents several analytical chapters related to networked readiness, as well as a detailed case study on Finland's success in leveraging ICT for economic development; the second part contains 102 detailed country profiles providing a snapshot of a country's level of ICT development; and the third consists of data tables with country rankings for each variable that enters the Index as well as a comprehensive section providing statistics on key indicators collected from a wide range of official sources relevant to the study.
The Report is published by Oxford University Press and edited by Soumitra Dutta of INSEAD, Bruno Lanvin of the World Bank's infoDev and Fiona Paua of the World Economic Forum.
Should you require further specific information about the Report, please contact public.affairs@weforum.org or gcp@weforum.org
General information on The Global Information Technology Report 2003-2004 and other similar publications by the World Economic Forum is available at http://www.weforum.org/gitr
The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world. The Forum provides a collaborative framework for the world's leaders to address global issues, engaging particularly its corporate members in global citizenship.
Incorporated as a foundation, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. The Forum has NGO consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. (http://www.weforum.org)