SINGAPORE'S e-readiness took a big leap forward in the annual Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranking, attesting to the robustness of the island's infocomm technology (ICT) framework.

The Republic has leapfrogged from 13th place to sixth in global ranking.

Denmark and the US retain their No 1 and No 2 spots (with Sweden also tied for second), while Hong Kong (fourth), Singapore (sixth), South Korea (16th), Taiwan (17th) and Japan (18th) have experienced a boost in 2007 in both scores and ranks. This is due in no small part to their governments' vision and commitment in pushing digital development, and to continued progress in adoption of broadband and other advanced infrastructure.

The EIU survey, done in collaboration with IBM Institute for Business Value, has been an annual affair since 2000. The ranking model evaluates the technological, economic, political and social assets of 69 countries and their cumulative impact on their respective information economies.

In terms of overall score in the rankings, Singapore got 8.60 while Denmark, in first place, came in at 8.88. The US and Sweden both scored 8.85, even though the US took the second spot. Hong Kong was at 8.72, two notches higher than Singapore.

Singapore scored high in business environment with an 8.67, second only to Canada's 8.69. In government policy and vision, it came in third with 9.40, behind Denmark's 9.85 and Sweden's 9.70. The Republic also scored high in consumer and business adoption with a 9.45 score - behind the US and Hong Kong, which both scored 9.50.

Commenting on the survey results, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) said it is encouraged by Singapore's improved rankings in the EIU survey.

Leong Keng Thai, IDA's deputy chief executive officer and director-general (telecoms), said that 'the survey shows our continued progress in embracing infocomm for economic and social growth'.

'Guided by iN2015, Singapore will continue to invest in infocomm to spawn business and public service innovation,' Mr Leong said, adding, 'Our efforts, be it in the deployment of next-generation networks, manpower capability development, or digital inclusion, will transform our economy and society.'

In the process, this will create new services, new markets, new partnership opportunities and new capabilities. 'The innovative use of infocomm is a key differentiator for Singapore's competitiveness,' he added.

Robin Bew, EIU's editorial director, said e-readiness continues to improve around the world this year but achieving it is becoming more complex. A country's 'e-readiness' is a measure of its e-business environment, a collection of factors that indicate how amenable a market is to Internet-based opportunities. Increasingly, it is also about how individuals and businesses consume digital goods and services.

The report shows the government's role as a promoter and adopter of ICT was a key determinant in whether countries moved up or down. 'Those countries where tangible commitment has been expressed in terms of national infrastructure initiatives and clear stimulus programmes - particularly in Asia but also places like Chile (30th) - made visible gains in both score and ranks,' Mr Bew added.

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