Competitiveness rankings mixed
By London Free Press
TORONTO—Canada’s rank fell in one competitiveness index and improved in another, according to the Global Competitiveness Report released yesterday by the World Economic Forum. On the business competitiveness index, Canada fell from 12th last year to 15th in 2004. On the growth index, Canada improved slightly from 16th to 15th. The forum’s Canadian partner is the Toronto-based Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity.
“In 1998, Canada stood sixth in this ranking and in 2004 we stand 15th,” said Roger Martin, dean of the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and institute chairperson.
“Among the larger economies—those with half of Canada’s population --we’ve fallen from fifth to eighth. . . .
“Canadian business and government leaders still have a lot of work to do to strengthen Canada’s competitive position in the world.”
Northern Europe and key Asian countries remained home to the most competitive economies, cementing their ranks among the top 10 in the annual survey.
In the poll of 104 countries, Finland retained top spot for the third time four years, followed by the United States.
Rounding out the top 10 were Sweden, Taiwan, Denmark, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, Japan and Iceland.
The bottom of the list was rounded out by countries in South and Central America, Asia and Africa, including Nicaragua, Madagascar, Honduras, Bolivia, Zimbabwe, Paraguay, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Angola and Chad, which was last.
