Good News! Sweden is on the podium!

Sweden is the number 3rd best country in the word when it comes to competitiveness according to WEC World Economic Forum. There just have to be investors globally who seeks a good place to conduct sound business. In this bright light Trollhättan and SAAB would be for any investor something really positive.

The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012: Country Profile Highlights
Top 10 (I only post the top 3 here)
As in previous years, this year’s top 10 remain dominated by a number of European countries, with Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands confirming their place among the most competitive economies. Singapore continues its upward trend to become the second-most competitive economy in the world, overtaking Sweden, while the United Kingdom returns to the top 10 as it recovers from the crisis.

Switzerland retains its 1st place position again this year as a result of its continuing strong performance across the board. The country’s most notable strengths are related to innovation, technological readiness, and labor market efficiency, where it tops the GCI rankings. Switzerland’s scientific research institutions are among the world’s best, and the strong collaboration between its academic and business sectors, combined with high company spending on R&D, ensures that much of this research is translated into marketable products and processes that are reinforced by strong intellectual property protection. This robust innovative capacity is captured by its high rate of patenting, for which Switzerland ranks 7th worldwide. Productivity is further enhanced by a business sector and a population that are proactive at adapting latest technologies, as well as by labor markets that balance employee protection with the interests of employers. Moreover, public institutions in Switzerland are among the most effective and transparent in the world (7th). Governance structures ensure a level playing field, enhancing business confidence; these include an independent judiciary, a strong rule of law, and a highly accountable public sector. Competitiveness is also buttressed by excellent infrastructure (5th), well-functioning goods markets (5th), and highly developed financial markets (7th), which benefit from a sounder banking sector than seen in last year’s assessment. Finally, Switzerland’s macroeconomic environment is among the most stable in the world (11th) at a time when many neighboring economies continue to struggle in this area. While Switzerland demonstrates many competitive strengths, maintaining its innovative capacity will require boosting the university enrollment rate of 49.4 percent, which continues to lag behind that of many other high-innovation countries.

Singapore moves up by one place to 2nd position, maintaining the lead among Asian economies. The country’s institutions continue to be assessed as the best in the world, ranked 1st for both their lack of corruption and government efficiency. Singapore places 1st and 2nd, respectively, for the efficiency of its goods and labor markets and leads the world in terms of financial market development, ensuring the proper allocation of these factors to their best use. Singapore also has world-class infrastructure (3rd), with excellent roads, ports, and air transport facilities. In addition, the country’s competitiveness is reinforced by a strong focus on education, providing individuals with the skills needed for a rapidly changing global economy. In order to strengthen its competitiveness further, Singapore could encourage even stronger adoption of the latest technologies (10th) as well as measures that support the sophistication of its companies (15th).

Sweden, overtaken by Singapore, falls one place to 3rd position. Like Switzerland, the country has been placing significant emphasis on creating the conditions for innovation-led growth. The quality of its public institutions is first-rate, with a very high degree of efficiency, trust, and transparency. Private institutions also receive excellent marks (3rd), with firms that demonstrate the highest ethical behavior (3rd), supported by strong auditing and reporting standards (2nd) and well-functioning corporate boards (1st). Goods and financial markets are also very efficient, although the labor market could be more flexible (25th). Combined with a strong focus on education over the years (2nd for higher education and training) and a high level of technological adoption (2nd), Sweden has developed a very sophisticated business culture (2nd) and is one of the world’s leading innovators (2nd). Last but not least, the country boasts a stable macroeconomic environment (13th), with an almost balanced budget and manageable public debt levels. These characteristics come together to make Sweden one of the most productive and competitive economies in the world.