UAE leads the MENA region in the rankings of the World Economic Forum's Global Information Technology Report 2006-2007

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 Communications 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 Report is produced by the World Economic Forum in cooperation with INSEAD, the leading international business school, and is sponsored this year by Cisco.

"In recent years, the world has witnessed the power of ICT in revolutionizing the business and economic landscape and empowering individuals, while fostering social networks and virtual communities. Recognizing the importance of ICT as a driver of growth and prosperity, the World Economic Forum has produced The Global Information Technology Report each year since 2001, assessing the progress of networked readiness in over 100 economies and providing an authoritative instrument for facilitating public-private dialogue, whereby policy-makers, business leaders and other stakeholders can evaluate progress on a continual basis," said Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

Under the theme, "Connecting to the Networked Economy, The Global Information Technology Report appears at a critical juncture in the evolving role of ICT in the world economy, when access to the global network is increasingly perceived as an important cornerstone for the development of economies and societies. In line with the World Economic Forum's sustained efforts to expand the geographical coverage of the Report, this year seven new countries from diverse regions of the world (mainly Asia and Africa) have been included in the sample.

"It's 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 maximize the benefits to business and society," said John Chambers, President and CEO of Cisco.

"In the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, HH Sheikh Mohammed Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai identified the role of advanced technology as a priority for growth. As a global company with significant investments in the region, Cisco is honoured to play a part in the making of a sustainable Dubai for the future," said Samer Alkharrat, Cisco's Managing Director for Gulf and Pakistan.

Mazen Jabri, Cisco's UAE General Manager said: "The UAE's outstanding levels of networked readiness have to do with the country's excellent regulatory environment, coupled with a clear government leadership and vision in leveraging ICT for growth and promoting ICT penetration and usage. Leading the MENA region and raking 29th worldwide, the UAE has been placing a growing emphasis on the role of ICT for development in recent years, with the launch of a number of ICT initiatives to create ICT-related clusters."

The Networked Readiness Index examines the preparedness of countries to use ICT effectively on three dimensions: the general business, regulatory and infrastructure environment for ICT; the readiness of the three key stakeholders þu individuals, businesses and governments þu to use and benefit from ICT; and their actual usage of the latest information and communication technology available.