Bangladesh slips in IT competitiveness global ranking

Bangladesh is losing ground compared to other countries in information technology, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) reported in its publication of 2011 edition of the Economist Intelligence Unit's IT Industry Competitiveness index.

Updated for the fourth time since 2007, the Index benchmarks 66 countries on a series of indicators covering the critical foundation areas for IT innovation: overall business environment, IT infrastructure, human capital, research and development (R&D), legal environment, and public support for industry development.

Topping the overall rankings for 2011 are the United States, Finland, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Bangladesh slipped 1 spot, ranking 63rd in the worldwide rankings due to a poor showing on indicators of overall business environment, the report said.

This year's Index finds that countries traditionally strong in IT are maintaining their positions of leadership in part because 'advantage begets advantage' they have built up solid foundations for technology innovation through years of investment and they are continuing to reap the benefits. But the global field of competition is becoming more crowded as new challengers, especially in developing economies, raise their games to meet the standards the leaders have set.

“It is abundantly clear from this year's IT Industry Competitiveness Index that investing in the fundamentals of technology innovation will pay huge dividends over the long term,” said BSA President and CEO Robert Holleyman.

“Bangladesh has slipped in this year's rankings because of its performance in the overall business environment,” said Roger Somerville, BSA senior director - Policy, Asia-Pacific. “In the years ahead, policymakers in Bangladesh have an opportunity to improve in that area. We know from global experience it will be worth the effort.”
"FROM www.thedailystar.net"