Singapore No. 1 in ICT impact

It tops new global index with use of infocomm technology to make daily life better

By Grace Chng, The Straits Times, 6 Apr 2012

SINGAPORE'S ability to make daily life better by using infocommunications technology (ICT) has won it the top spot in a new global ranking index.

Dr Bruno Lanvin, the executive director of eLab at Insead, the international business school that publishes the index, said the Government's use of such technology and its leadership in this area had helped Singapore attain this ranking.

The high quality of mathematics and science education here had also helped to make the Republic 'a world leader in the social impact of infocomm technology', he said in a video conference yesterday from Stockholm.

'There are many ways of creating an impact which are not seen through an increase in the gross domestic product. For example, one way to measure impact could be to ask: Is Singapore the place to raise your kids?

'It's the 'visible' importance that foreign talent looks at, for example, when considering whether to relocate.'

Many of Singapore's e-government services can be accessed readily with a computer or a mobile phone.
Such services allow users to take care of tasks that range from buying Electronic Day Licences for off-peak cars to topping up Central Provident Fund (CPF) accounts. Instead of going to the relevant government departments to perform these tasks, they can just go online, using either their mobile phones or PCs.

Mr James Kang, assistant chief executive of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), said these e-government services saved time and provided convenience.

In recent years, the IDA has moved from just adding more of such services to ensuring that the new ones offered are more useful and better suited to people's needs, he said. Mr Kang was present at the video conference, which was held at Insead Singapore's campus in Ayer Rajah.

The Impact index is part of the 11th issue of the Global Information Technology Report published yearly by Insead and the World Economic Forum. The latest issue surveyed 142 countries and was released yesterday.

For the third consecutive year, Singapore retained its No. 2 position, behind Sweden, on the Networked Readiness Index (NRI). It measures the readiness of a country to use infocomm technology to create new businesses, products and services.

The NRI weighs factors such as the political and regulatory environment, the infrastructure available and the level of innovation. The index is used by banks and other firms when making investment decisions and locating new offices and plants.

Dr Lanvin complimented Singapore on having been able to stay among the top five on the NRI since it was created 10 years ago, but he added that securing pole position means having to be even more innovative.

'Stimulating innovation will lead to the creation of new services, business models and ways of thinking. In the context of a rapidly changing world, these factors are important for economic growth,' he noted.

Mr Kang said the Government's strategy now is to work on a collaborative and co-creation process with the people. Innovation is likely to emerge from the grassroots, and it will be important to tap into their thinking, he added.

In addition, the Media Development Authority is encouraging innovation by nurturing start-ups, said deputy chief executive Michael Yap.

'We are supporting them with grants and mentorship programmes. We're also bringing together all the key stakeholders, such as the start-ups, investors, technology incubators and industry partners, to co-create,' he said.

Mr Victor Tay, chief operating officer of the Singapore Business Federation, pointed out that the Government had already started to encourage greater innovation.

'The education system is being changed to allow for more individual and independent thinking,' he said on Wednesday during a lunch forum on innovation and productivity at the National University of Singapore.

'To kick-start research, the Government has given out many grants and incentives. So innovation will come along - it's just that we must be patient. These activities need time to brew.'