Costa Rica And Panama Are Prime Markets For E-Business

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-news.com, Washington

07 May 2001

Central American jurisdictions Costa Rica and Panama have been named by consulting group McConnell International as countries "positioned to have a profound impact on the new global economy." In its second global E-Readiness report, entitled "Ready? Net. Go!", McConnell assessed 53 developing countries for their capacity to participate in the digital economy. font>

McConnell rated these countries according to five main criteria: connectivity, E-leadership, E-business climate, human resources and information security. Costa Rica did better in some categories than in others. Whilst Costa Rica was said to have achieved "early success" in bringing information technology to its schools in order to cultivate a skilled, knowledgeable workforce, where Costa Rica really disappoints is in information security, with McConnell rating it as needing "substantial improvement."

Panama fared less well in the global E-Readiness survey, its connectivity, E-leadership, human capital and E-business climate being deemed to require significant improvement. It did best in the E-leadership category, showing that government and industry are endeavouring to promote and develop an e-society in Panama.

McConnell examined over 500 initiatives across all 53 countries to determine which nations are displaying a real difference in E-Readiness, such as sound, sustainable programmes, reforms and policies that increase connectivity, strengthen E-leadership, improve information security, develop human capital and enhance the E-business climate. Costa Rica and Panama were both rated highly by McConnell as countries which are moving forward with actions "that have the potential to make a real difference in their ability to participate in the digital economy."

McConnell said: 'Today's leaders in impact and innovation are the places where business opportunities are more likely to develop in the short-term, irrespective of today's level of E-Readiness. These are the markets of tomorrow.'

Click here for the full survey, in pdf format.

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