The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009

The Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009

The Report stresses the importance of ICT as a catalyst for growth in the current global turmoil

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

The Report underlines that good education fundamentals and high levels of technological readiness and innovation are essential engines of growth needed to overcome the current economic crisis. Under the theme “Mobility in a Networked World”, this year’s Report places a particular focus on the relationship and interrelations between mobility and ICT.

With record coverage of 134 economies worldwide, the Report remains the world’s most comprehensive and authoritative international assessment of the impact of ICT on the development process and the competitiveness of nations.

Israel, at 25th, remains the leader in the region, although only by a small margin. A member of the top 20 from 2001 to 2007 consecutively, the country drops seven places because of a poorer assessment in individual readiness (34th) and individual usage (28th). 

Both the market environment (17th) and the political and regulatory framework (34th) deteriorate significantly.

 This does not put into question the fundamentals of  Israel’s prowess in networked readiness and innovation, confirmed by its impressive 5th position in the world for the number of utility patents (154.3 in 2007), coupled with its 24th position for high-tech exports (12.7% of total exports).

Indeed, Israel’s recent development history is an inspiring example of a small, resource-poor country turned into a global high-tech powerhouse in less than 30 years, thanks to the government’s coherent vision and strategy.

CONCLUSION: 

>>As we see Israel is great in:

1. Quality of academic research institutions.......... 3

2. Patents ..........................................................5.

3. Govt. procurement of of technology ...................8

4. VC Capital......................................................8

5. Company spend. on R&D ................................8

>>> Israel is terrible in almost all other categories especially:

1. Quality of education..... which means we wont have a "new" generation for the above 5 points 

2. With all the excess  lawyers .... we are at the end of the line in: time required to start a business and  time to enforce a contract