World Economic Forum: Denmark is the World's Best IT Nation

For the first time, Denmark wins the top ranking as the world's best IT nation in a new report from the independent and recognised institute World Economic Forum.

– It is very satisfactory that we have moved from a third place last year to the first place this year, which means that we have overtaken the United States and Singapore, says Helge Sander, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation.

In the presentation of the Global Information Technology Report, prepared by the World Economic Forum in cooperation with the leading international business school INSEAD, Denmark is commended for "very effective government e-leadership", "large availability of e-government services", the early liberalisation of the telecommunications sector and "a first-rate regulatory framework" and also "the country's excellent regulatory environment".

– The Government is of course pleased to have been complimented on our commitment and visions for digitalisation and Internet offerings to citizens and businesses and our focus on liberalisation and regulation of telecommunications. To those who routinely express criticism in these areas the report should be compulsory reading.

– But such compliments should not be taken as a pretext for complacency. In the ICT Council, we have already opened the discussion on how to improve the Danes' IT competencies so as to strengthen the digital cohesion across society. Later this year, the ICT Council will focus on strengthening research and innovation within IT and telecommunications, and on clarifying how we can make better use of the increasing availability of broadband in Denmark, says Helge Sander.

That Denmark has been given a top ranking as the best IT nation by the World Economic Forum adds excellently to the respected Institute's evaluation in December 2006, when Denmark was ranked as the EU's most competitive and dynamic economy.

The Global Information Technology Report has been issued annually by the World Economic Forum since 2001, and, except for the first one, it has been prepared in cooperation with INSEAD.