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UK Ranks Third in Global Index of IT Competitiveness

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Press release

Business Software Alliance-sponsored study recognises the strong availability of human capital and government support for the UK's IT industry                                                                       

LONDON, 16 September 2008 - The UK ranks third in the world for its information technology (IT) competitiveness, according to an Economist Intelligence Unit study released today. The report, which assesses and compares the IT industry environments of 66 countries to determine the extent to which they enable IT sector competitiveness, recognises the support given to the industry by the UK government and the strong human capital available.  

The UK outperforms many other nations in creating robust and open business environments, which recognise the sanctity of private property and demonstrate high-level commitment to open competition and receptiveness to foreign trade and investment. Areas for improvement include investment in research & development (R&D) and IT-related patents.

Julie Strawson, Chair of the BSA UK Country Committee, said, "The ability of local governments and IT industries to deliver jobs and a better quality of life through information technology is strongly affected by how they handle the six drivers of competitiveness. The UK has proven particularly adept at successfully striking a balance between investing in technology, supporting sector growth and allowing market forces to work."

"Policymakers and business leaders need to address the full combination of factors that enable competitive IT industries," maintains Denis McCauley, Director, Global Technology Research with the Economist Intelligence Unit. "Few countries can hope to build strong IT production sectors without strong business and legal environments, deep pools of talent, support for innovation, and the widespread use of technology throughout society."

Although the top 20 economies remain the same from one year ago, nine countries moved up and 11 went down in the rankings. Three countries in the top five are new: Taiwan, Sweden and Denmark. The top five countries in Europe are the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands and Switzerland.