China beats India on IT index

China has overtaken India on the global IT (information technology) radar, by occupying the 46th rank in what is called the Network Readiness Index (NRI), according to the Global Information Technology Report 2008-2009, issued today.

While India climbed down to the 54th rank from the 50th spot in 2007-2008, China leapfrogged 11 positions to emerge as a more advanced nation in furthering its global IT interests, Soumitra Dutta, management academic at INSEAD, France, told Business Standard.

The NRI is a gauge for “countries’ preparedness to leverage ICT advances for increased competitiveness and development.” It also provides an insight into how “prepared countries are to use ICT [information and communications technologies] effectively” to further their competitive strengths in the global economy.

Issuing the World Economic Forum’s annual report on Network Readiness of Nations, of which he is the main author, Dutta said the “speed at which China is transforming its IT infrastructure through a combination of human development and technology-related policies has brought a massive change among the BRIC countries for the first time.”

India has, however, dropped from the 44th position in 2006-2007 to 54th this year.

While Nordic countries such as Denmark and Sweden continued to top, the US continued at the third position despite the economic slowdown that hit it last year. Significantly, Singapore has remained a consistent performer, by occupying the fourth position due to its focus on education excellence, innovation and extensive ICT access.

“It is important for leaders in both private and public sectors not to lose focus on ICT as an important enabler of growth and competitiveness in times of crisis,” said Irene Mia, senior economist at the WEF’s Global Competitiveness Network division.