IN BRIEF

BEST ICT NATION IN THE WORLD

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Denmark now tops the rankings of The Global Information Technology Report 2006-2007’s “Networked Readiness Index”, as a culmination of an upward trend since 2003.

With record coverage of 122 economies worldwide and published for the sixth consecutive year, The Global Information Technology Report (GITR) has become the world’s most respected assessment of the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on the development process and the competitiveness of nations. The Networked Readiness Index (NRI) measures the propensity of countries to leverage the opportunities offered by ICT for development and increased competitiveness. It also establishes a broad international framework mapping out the enabling factors of such capacity.

The World Economic Forum in cooperation with INSEAD, the leading international business school in Paris, produces the Report.

“Leveraging ICT is increasingly becoming an essential instrument for countries and national stakeholders to ensure continued prosperity for their people. Nordic countries have shown how an early focus on education, innovation and promotion of ICT penetration and diffusion is a winning strategy for increased networked readiness and competitiveness. Denmark in particular has benefited from very effective government e-leadership, reflected in early liberalization of the telecommunications sector, a first-rate regulatory framework and large availability of e-government services,” said Irene Mia, Senior Economist of the Global Competitiveness Network at the World Economic Forum and co-editor of the Report.

Clear ICT vision
Denmark is N0.1, moving up 2 positions from last year and reflecting an upward trend dating back to 2003. Denmark has benefited from a clear government ICT vision and early focus on ICT penetration and usage, which has resulted in impressive levels of Internet and PC usage as well as that of e-government and in a very dynamic e-business environment. A well-developed internal market, together with a continuous emphasis on education and research and development and a talent for pioneering applications and technologies, have laid the foundation for the development of a first-league high-tech industry.

The United States loses its top position and drops 6 places to 7^th, mainly due to relative deterioration of the political and regulatory environment. However, the country maintains its primacy in innovation, driven by one of the world’s best tertiary education systems and its high degree of cooperation with the industry as well as by the extremely efficient market environment displayed.

DANISH CORPORATE SECTOR MAKES RECORD INVESTMENTS The Danish corporate sector is making substantial investments in new production equipment to benefit competitiveness. More than EUR 30 bn will be invested in new machines, robots, factory buildings and IT in 2007. According to the Confederation of Danish Industries, it is the highest sum ever, and corresponds to 20% of all value created in the corporate sector being used for new investments. The figure excludes the substantial investments in new ships being made by the Danish shipping industry, which has previously announced that it will invest more than EUR 10 bn in the coming years. The large investments are especially being used for labour-saving production equipment in the industrial sector.

A HUB FOR CRUISES

Copenhagen has become a north European hub for cruises. In 2007, more than 300 ships carrying 460,000 tourists will call at the Port of Copenha-gen. Not only is the number of ships increasing year by year, the ships themselves are also becoming larger. The Visit Copenhagen tourist organisation has calculated that the size of the cruisers has more than doubled in five years.

The number of cruisers which use Copenhagen as a turnaround point, i.e. starting and ending their journey in Copenhagen, has also increased significantly. The cruises primarily go to ports in Norway, Sweden, the Baltic States and St. Petersburg in Russia. 60% of the tourists on the cruisers are from the US and UK.

COPENHAGENERS AMONG EUROPE’S WEALTHIEST

The average income in the Danish capital is equivalent to almost EUR 58,000 annually.

“Affluence is boosted by the fact that there are so many jobs with a high educational level concentrated in Copenha-gen,” says Henrik Christoffersen, head of research at the Danish Institute of Governmental Research, and adds: “The gap between the educational level in Copenhagen and the rest of the country has increased significantly. Education is the source of income creation and greater wealth.” The majority of jobs in Copenhagen are knowledge-based with a high degree of value creation.

“Copenhagen is changing a lot these days. The city has become a dynamic centre in northern Europe for knowledge intensive professions. This is a major factor behind the income and affluence that Copenhageners are creating,” says Henrik Christoffersen.

Among the reasons why Copenhagen is attracting so many highly educated people is its well functioning infrastructure, good educational opportunities, rich cultural life and metropolitan atmosphere, which is lively without being too stressful. Good quality housing and a low crime rate also contribute to the excellent life quality.