Qatar is now ranked 29th among 134 countries with the highest use of Information, Communications and Technology (ICT), according to the latest survey conducted by World Economic Forum (WEF) and INSEAD, an international graduate business school and research institution. Based on the Global Information Technology Report released on March 26, Qatar went up three places higher over the past year. The report is considered the world’s most comprehensive international assessment of the impact of ICT on nations’ development and international competitiveness. According to WEF, this year the report surveys 134 developed and developing economies that account for more than 98 percent of world GDP. The report is based on the Networked Readiness Index, which shows that in 2008-2009, Qatar moved up to the 29th place from 32nd in the 2007-2008 survey. The preceding year, 2006-2007, Qatar was ranked 36th. In 2005-2006, the first year Qatar was included in the global assessment, the country was ranked 39th. The Index examines how prepared countries are to use ICT in three areas: General business, regulatory and infrastructure environment for ICT; readiness of government, individuals, and businesses to use and benefit from ICT; and the actual usage of available ICT by these stakeholder groups. The Report underscores that good education fundamentals, innovation and wide ICT access are key to nations’ social growth and economic competitiveness. “Since 2006, Qatar has jumped ahead in the Index because both the public and private sectors are dedicated to leveraging ICT to help Qatar achieve its leadership role in the global economy,” said ictQATAR Secretary General Dr Hessa Al Jaber. The only other country from the Arab region in the top 30 economies is UAE, ranking two places ahead of Qatar, at 27th. Denmark ranks first in the world, as it did last year. Portugal follows Qatar, at the 30th place. Qatar’s government readiness and usage of ICT has this year witnessed a leap. The report indicated that Qatar is ranked 22nd in government readiness and 25th in government usage. http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Local_News&subsection=Qatar+News&month=March2009&file=Local_News2009032964922.xml

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