Armenia improves its global competitiveness index by 10 points in 2012

YEREVAN, September 5. /ARKA/. Armenia improved its Global competitiveness index by ten points appearing at the 82nd place out of 144 states in 2012, Economy and Values research center member Sevak Hovhannisyan said at Novosti International press center on Wednesday. Last year Armenia was 92nd among 142 states.

“Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012 shows Armenia has improved its positions in almost all sectors, except for infrastructure (drop by 3 points, 80th place), and in technological readiness Armenia lost 4 points, appearing at 92nd place,” he said.

Armenia raised its indexes by 4-36 points in institutions, macroeconomic stability, health and primary education, higher education, productivity of commodity, labor and financial markets, entrepreneurship progress, innovations, according to him. Market volume index didn’t change from the last year’s result at 115 place. 

“Last year we were at the transition development stage, that of shifting from resources to productivity, and this year we are again at the productivity advance stage as a result of GDP per capita growth,” he clarified. 

According to him, in spite of improving its positions in a number of sectors, illegal payments and corruption level is still high- ranked 82nd , according to the report.

“We have also lost 37 points in mobile network accessibility. However, it can be explained by increased number of subscribers due to different campaigns in 2011,” Mr. Hovhannisyan clarified. 

In general, the list of the most competitive countries didn’t change much. As in the previous report Switzerland tops the list, followed by Singapore, Sweden, Finland and the USA.

As of the CIS, Armenia comes after Azerbaijan (46th place), Russia (67th place), Kazakhstan (51st place), Ukraine (73rd place), Georgia (77th place). Such states as Moldova (87th), Tajikistan (100) and Kyrgyzstan (127) are behind Armenia.

Mr. Hovhannisyan also said the Report states that the global economy is in a non-stable, unpredictable condition, the financial problems in the eurozone have caused a long-term and tough debt crisis.

The Global Competitiveness Report is compiled on the basis of statistical data and surveys among the entrepreneurs. Armenia has been listed in the Global Competitiveness Report since 2005. This year 80-100 Armenian enterprises took the surveys.—0--