Sri Lanka slips in Network Readiness Index but fairs better and above several advanced Asian nations

After enjoying impressive gains previously, Sri Lanka has slipped in the latest Network Readiness Index (NRI) compiled by the World Economic Forum and the global business school INSEAD.

In the 11th annual 2012 Global Information Technology Report released last week, Sri Lanka was ranked at number 71 with a score of 3.88. In the previous report for 2010-11, Sri Lanka was placed at 66th with a score of 3.81. Though the score has improved in the latest survey, Sri Lanka has slipped in the ranking.

When Sri Lanka moved up to 66th place last year, in comparison to 83th rank in 2005/6, much of the advancement was credited to President Mahinda Rajapaksa who has been a passionate champion of ICT even from the time he was the Premier.

However compared to several advanced Asian nations, Sri Lanka’s ranking is higher. For example Thailand which was ranked at 59 in last year’s index, had slipped to 77 whilst IT major India was ranked 69th this year, as opposed to 48th place last year. In comparison to these major dips, Sri Lanka has lost only 5 places. Sri Lanka is also above countries such as South Africa, Indonesia, Philippines and Mexico. Among countries ranked above Sri Lanka include Romania, Mongolia, Bulgaria and Mauritius.

The 2012 Networked Readiness Index uses 53 indicators to compute the impact of ICT on public policy. The index measures the correlation between how these markets leverage advances in information and communication technologies (ICT) to drive economic productivity and social development.

Despite 77th overall ranking, Sri Lanka was placed at a high 22nd under the sub category of affordability and 54 in terms of skills. In terms of business and government usage the rank was 44 and 43 respectively. The country’s efforts to boost broadband and Government’s/ICTA’s efforts had been highlighted as well.

The report examines the networked readiness of 142 developed and developing countries worldwide - accounting for over 98 percent of the world’s GDP.  In this year’s Networked Readiness Index ranking (NRI), four Nordic countries are the most successful at leveraging ICT in their competitiveness strategies with Sweden topping the list at number one. Singapore is in the number two position and the rest of the top ten are: Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. See full story on Page 8