Business
Costa Rica and Panama are PrimeMarkets for E-Business
By Mike Gofrey, Taxnews.com
Central American jurisdictions Costa Ricaand Panama have been named by consulting group McConnell Internationalas countries "positioned to have a profound impact on thenew global economy." In its second global E-Readiness report,entitled "Ready? Net. Go!", McConnell assessed 53 developingcountries for their capacity to participate in the digital economy.
McConnell rated these countries accordingto five main criteria: connectivity, E-leadership, E-businessclimate, human resources and information security. Costa Ricadid better in some categories than in others. Whilst Costa Ricawas said to have achieved "early success" in bringinginformation technology to its schools in order to cultivate askilled, knowledgeable workforce, where Costa Rica really disappointsis in information security, with McConnell rating it as needing"substantial improvement."
Panama fared less well in the global E-Readinesssurvey, its connectivity,
E-leadership, human capital and E-business climate being deemedto require significant improvement. It did best in the E-leadershipcategory, showing that government and industry are endeavouringto promote and develop an e-society in Panama.
McConnell examined over 500 initiativesacross all 53 countries to determine which nations are displayinga 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 enhancethe E-business climate. Costa Rica and Panama were both ratedhighly by McConnell as countries which are moving forward withactions "that have the potential to make a real differencein their ability to participate in the digital economy."
McConnell said: 'Today's leaders in impactand innovation are the places where business opportunities aremore likely to develop in the short-term, irrespective of today'slevel of E-Readiness. These are the markets of tomorrow.'