Dubai: The UAE has slipped six positions and surrendered its regional leadership to Bahrain in the latest report on network readiness index produced by World Economic Forum in cooperation with Insead. UAE is ranked 30th this year compared to 24th in 2011.
The report examines the networked readiness of 142 developed and developing countries worldwide - accounting for over 98 per cent of the world's GDP. The index measures how these markets leverage advances in information and communication technologies (ICT) to drive economic productivity and social development.
Milind Singh, Principal at Booz & Company, said the Gulf region is vulnerable on the global ICT competitiveness scale. Aftert gaining an average of four positions between 2009 and 2010, the top four GCC countries (Bahrain, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia) surrendered their competitive momentum with an average regression of two positions in 2011. Only Kuwait has grown significantly, gaining 13 positions - albeit from a low starting position of 72.
He said government performance remains strong, while challenges remain to be addressed in broadband and skills.
