SINGAPORE: Denmark has been found to be the most Web-savvy
country in the world while Singapore jumped to seventh place from
last year's number 12, according to a survey.
Denmark was more aggressive than any other country in taking
advantage of the Internet, according to the research by US computer
company International Business Machines and the intelligence unit
of British magazine The Economist.
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Denmark, which was second last year, climbed to the top spot after
it set up a governmental portal website which brings together five
ministries and 24 other organisations where companies can access
services online.
Sweden, which occupied pole position last year, fell to number
three, behind second-placed Britain but in front of Norway and
Finland which occupied fourth and fifth position
respectively.
The four Nordic countries, together with the UK, pushed the United
States out of the top five.
America dropped to sixth place from a shared third place despite
having the world's best social and cultural environment for the
Internet, because the percentage of broadband connections was
falling behind other nations.
The differences were small between the top eight, which all scored
more than eight points as a result of plentiful, cheap Internet
connections, software and technical support, legal and government
frameworks and populations keen to spend time on the Net.
Countries like Japan (25th place), Russia (55), Peru (47) and
Australia (12) all fell several places in the ranking.
But Singapore jumped five places to the seventh spot and Hong Kong
climbed one spot to number nine.
South Korea also continued its ascent, grabbing the 14th place, up
from No. 21 two years ago.
These places all have high broadband Internet penetration and are
eager to move government and business on-line, unlike other parts
of Asia where banks are slow to move to the Web.
64 countries were surveyed in the research. - CNA
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Reporter Croco, aka Good Boi
Simply Bo Chup News Network (SBC)
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