For the first time, Denmark has come top of the 'Networked Readiness Index' produced by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

According to the WEF, Denmark's climb to the top can be traced back to its excellent regulatory environment, together with the government's leadership and vision in leveraging information and communication technologies (ICT) for growth, and promoting its penetration and usage.

'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,' said Irene Mia, Senior Economist at the WEF and co-author of the report.

'Denmark, in particular, has benefited from very effective government e-leadership, reflected in early liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, a first-rate regulatory framework and large availability of e-government services,' explained Ms Mia.

The WEF's Networked Readiness Index measures the propensity of countries to leverage the opportunities presented by ICT for development and increased competitiveness.

The annual report presenting the rankings is produced in cooperation with INSEAD, the international business school. It is intended to not only provide a snapshot of countries' strengths and weaknesses in ICT development and capacity for competitiveness, but to also offer policy-makers and business leaders a platform for discussion. The document could also be used as a tool to draft a roadmap for increasing networked readiness.

While Denmark holds the top position, there are plenty of other high climbers from Europe.

Both Sweden and the Netherlands have climbed six places in this year's ranking, with Sweden reaching second in the ranking, and the Netherlands moving up to number six. Other European countries in the top ten of networked-ready nations are: Finland (4), Switzerland (5), Iceland (8), UK (9) and Norway (10). The remaining positions are occupied by Singapore (3) and the US (7).

Further down the list, Germany (16), Austria (17) and Estonia (20) are doing well. Estonia in particular is singled out for its impressive progress over the past decade in networked readiness, as well as general competitiveness. This has been driven by an Estonian Government with an efficient vision and strategy, states the WEF.

Ireland (21) and France (23) are also described as leveraging ICT for development, while Italy (38) and Greece (48) are lagging behind.

'It is no longer debatable as to whether or not the global economy will become networked - the vast majority of industries are increasingly adopting networked business processes - and the discussion now focuses not on if but how we get connected to maximise the benefits to business and society,' said John Chambers, President and CEO of Cisco, which sponsored this year's report.

For further information, please visit:
http://www.weforum.org

Copyright © European Communities, 2007. Neither the Commission of the European Communities, nor any person acting on its behalf, is responsible for the use, which might be made of the attached information. The attached information is drawn from the Community R&D Information Service (CORDIS). The CORDIS services are carried on the CORDIS Host - http://cordis.europa.eu . Access to CORDIS is currently available free-of-charge.