Latest news with #GlobalSoftPowerIndex
Local Sweden
02-05-2025
- Business
- Local Sweden
EXPLAINED: How Sweden's national brand is 'relatively weak' in India
Sweden has a 'relatively weak brand' in India, and to the extent that it is known at all, the country is not associated with having a stable economy or being a good place to study, visit, invest or do business, a new report from the Swedish Institute has found. Advertisement The 2025 report on Sweden's national brand found that Sweden was viewed considerably less favourably in India than in Brazil, China, the UK, the US, Japan or Germany. Sweden's brand was only weaker in one of the other eight major markets studied – Saudi Arabia. "Sweden is not that well-known and is seen as not being strong in the areas that generate positive opinions of other countries, such as having a strong and stable economy, products and brands in high demand, as well as being easy to do business with," the report, which is based on data from the Global Soft Power Index, reported on Indian perceptions. "There is a lot of potential here for Sweden to strengthen its brand to increase the attraction of Sweden as a business partner." Advertisement Sweden's trade minister Benjamin Dousa, speaking at an event held to launch Sweden's new branding strategy, said that Sweden needed to reinforce its image internationally as being an "open and freedom-loving country", pushing to lower tariffs and make trade easier at a time when other countries were pushing in the opposite direction. "A strong image of Sweden is essential for the competitiveness of Swedish companies and to combat misleading information about Sweden," he said in a press release. "Our message to the world should be clear: with Sweden what you get is a reliable and innovative partner which is good at cooperating." Where does Sweden fall behind in India? The biggest difference between Sweden's image in India compared to that of other countries was precisely in the perception of "reliability", which Dousa wanted to foreground and which is a quality on which Sweden and Swedish products are generally highly rated in other key markets such as the US, UK and Germany. Indians, though, rank Sweden only 31 in terms of reliability, whereas on average globally the country is ranked a much more impressive 3. It's a similar case with issues around corruption and good governance. Whereas Sweden is ranked 3 on average globally for having "high ethical standards and low corruption", in India the country scores a much worse 17. Globally it is ranked on average 2 on being "politically stable and well-governed" but in India it scores a lacklustre 36. While Sweden is widely praised for the quality of its education system, receiving a mark of 5 on average globally, in India, Sweden's education system is rated a middling 27. Sweden even falls behind on lifestyle issues in Indians' perception. Whereas the good work-life balance Sweden offers brings it a top-level ranking of 2 of for "attractive lifestyle" globally, in India it scores just 22. IN STATS: Advertisement Sweden and India have both attempted to strengthen their ties in recent years. With more than 280 Swedish companies active in India, Swedish exports to India last year amounted to 22 billion kronor, an increase of 17 percent compared to 2023. In the same period, Sweden imports from India increased 16 percent to 13 billion kronor. And all is not totally lost. On some qualities, such as "being influential in culture and entertainment" and "having products and brand the world loves", the appraisal of Indians, while still lower than the global average, is at least close to normal (19, compared to a global 16). Sweden is also on average seen slightly more favourably by Indians than Denmark and Finland, and only slightly worse than Norway. It is also slightly better known than the other Nordics. Why do you think Sweden has a relatively weak brand in India? Is Sweden's poor image justified? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE maintained its rising performance in global competitiveness race in Q1 2025
ABU DHABI: The UAE has maintained its rising performance in the global competitiveness race during the first quarter of 2025 by achieving advanced positions in many relevant international and regional indicators and reports. The achieved results signified the effectiveness and efficiency of the comprehensive development strategy pursued by the UAE, and the leadership of its experience in managing government work based on efficiency, proactive planning, and readiness to deal with various changes and challenges. The UAE has been ranked number one globally for the fourth consecutive year by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for the year 2024-2025, surpassing many advanced economies. The UAE was also recognised as the world's best destination for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) among 56 economies surveyed in this year's report. The UAE ranked first among high-income countries in 11 out of 13 key indicators, evaluating the institutional frameworks that support entrepreneurship, based on expert assessments. The country outperformed globally in areas including financing for entrepreneurial projects, ease of fund access, government policies supporting entrepreneurship, government-related tax and bureaucracy policies, government entrepreneurship programs, integration of entrepreneurship in school and high education, research and development transfer, commercial and professional infrastructure, ease of market entry in terms of burdens and regulatory frameworks, as well as social and cultural standards towards entrepreneurship. The UAE has secured 10th place globally in the Global Soft Power Index 2025. The UAE's Nation Brand also witnessed a significant increase in its value from $ trillion to 1.223 trillion dollars in 2025. The Global Soft Power Index, published by Brand Finance, evaluates 193 countries based on insights from 173,000 business leaders, policymakers, and civil society figures, making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of national influence and perception. The UAE was among the top 10 globally in key categories, ranking 4th in 'Future Growth Potential', 4th in 'Generous', 7th in 'A strong and stable economy', 8th in 'Influence', 9th in 'International Relations', 9th in 'Influential in diplomatic circles', 9th 'Advanced technology and innovation', 10th in Investment in Space Exploration, and 10th in 'Affairs I follow closely'. The UAE has been ranked the second safest country globally, achieving a safety index score of 84.5, according to the 2025 Safety Index released by Numbeo. Numbeo's annual safety rankings are based on user surveys that assess perceptions of crime levels, personal safety, and experiences with both property and violent crimes. In addition to its high safety ranking, the UAE also recorded the second-lowest crime rate in Numbeo's 2025 Crime Index, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most secure nations worldwide. The UAE is considered the second safest country in the world because it has strict laws regarding crime, drug use and public behavior, with severe penalties for violations. This acts as a deterrent to criminal activities. Law enforcement is highly efficient, with a strong police presence and a well-equipped security infrastructure. The country also has extensive surveillance, particularly in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, helping authorities monitor and prevent crime effectively. Artificial intelligence and smart policing initiatives are also contributing to quick crime detection and resolution. The UAE's conducive environment for logistics, international trade and digital readiness shone on 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index as the nation topped the Gulf rankings and came in third place globally. This index is an international standard for competitiveness in the logistics services sector for emerging markets and is done by evaluating 50 emerging markets around the world based on critical factors for logistics service providers, such as domestic and international logistics opportunities, business fundamentals and digital readiness. According to the index, the UAE continues its efforts to narrow the gap with the countries that top the rankings, reflecting the success of its investment strategy. The Agility Index report also highlights the UAE's efforts in the areas of sustainability and renewable energy, as the country has invested heavily in clean energy projects. The UAE has secured 21st place in the 2025 World Happiness Report, surpassing the UK, US, and France, and leading Arab Region. This annual survey, compiled by Gallup, ranks 147 nations based on life satisfaction from 2022-2024. The report assesses national happiness levels based on key indicators including: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, perceptions of corruption, and generosity.
Gulf Today
06-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE maintains rising performance rin global competitiveness race in Q1
The UAE has maintained its rising performance in the global competitiveness race during the first quarter of 2025 by achieving advanced positions in many relevant international and regional indicators and reports. The achieved results signified the effectiveness and efficiency of the comprehensive development strategy pursued by the UAE, and the leadership of its experience in managing government work based on efficiency, proactive planning, and readiness to deal with various changes and challenges. The UAE has been ranked number one globally for the fourth consecutive year by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for the year 2024-2025, surpassing many advanced economies. The UAE was also recognised as the world's best destination for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) among 56 economies surveyed in this year's report. The UAE ranked first among high-income countries in 11 out of 13 key indicators, evaluating the institutional frameworks that support entrepreneurship, based on expert assessments. The country outperformed globally in areas including financing for entrepreneurial projects, ease of fund access, government policies supporting entrepreneurship, government-related tax and bureaucracy policies, government entrepreneurship programs, integration of entrepreneurship in school and high education, research and development transfer, commercial and professional infrastructure, ease of market entry in terms of burdens and regulatory frameworks, as well as social and cultural standards towards entrepreneurship. The areas in which the UAE excelled globally included: entrepreneurial finance, ease of access to funding, government policies supporting entrepreneurship, government policies on taxes and bureaucracy, government entrepreneurship programmes, entrepreneurship education at school level and post-school level, research and development transfer, commercial and professional infrastructure, ease of market entry in terms of regulatory burdens, and social and cultural norms related to entrepreneurship. The UAE has secured 10th place globally in the Global Soft Power Index 2025. The UAE's Nation Brand also witnessed a significant increase in its value from $ trillion to 1.223 trillion dollars in 2025. The Global Soft Power Index, published by Brand Finance, evaluates 193 countries based on insights from 173,000 business leaders, policymakers, and civil society figures, making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of national influence and perception. The UAE was among the top 10 globally in key categories, ranking 4th in 'Future Growth Potential', 4th in 'Generous', 7th in 'A strong and stable economy', 8th in 'Influence', 9th in 'International Relations', 9th in 'Influential in diplomatic circles', 9th 'Advanced technology and innovation', 10th in Investment in Space Exploration, and 10th in 'Affairs I follow closely'. The UAE has been ranked the second safest country globally, achieving a safety index score of 84.5, according to the 2025 Safety Index released by Numbeo. Numbeo's annual safety rankings are based on user surveys that assess perceptions of crime levels, personal safety, and experiences with both property and violent crimes. In addition to its high safety ranking, the UAE also recorded the second-lowest crime rate in Numbeo's 2025 Crime Index, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most secure nations worldwide. The UAE is considered the second safest country in the world because it has strict laws regarding crime, drug use and public behavior, with severe penalties for violations. This acts as a deterrent to criminal activities. Law enforcement is highly efficient, with a strong police presence and a well-equipped security infrastructure. The country also has extensive surveillance, particularly in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, helping authorities monitor and prevent crime effectively. Artificial intelligence and smart policing initiatives are also contributing to quick crime detection and resolution. The UAE's conducive environment for logistics, international trade and digital readiness shone on 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index as the nation topped the Gulf rankings and came in third place globally. This index is an international standard for competitiveness in the logistics services sector for emerging markets and is done by evaluating 50 emerging markets around the world based on critical factors for logistics service providers, such as domestic and international logistics opportunities, business fundamentals and digital readiness. According to the index, the UAE continues its efforts to narrow the gap with the countries that top the rankings, reflecting the success of its investment strategy. The Agility Index report also highlights the UAE's efforts in the areas of sustainability and renewable energy, as the country has invested heavily in clean energy projects. The UAE has secured 21st place in the 2025 World Happiness Report, surpassing the UK, US, and France, and leading Arab Region. This annual survey, compiled by Gallup, ranks 147 nations based on life satisfaction from 2022-2024. The report assesses national happiness levels based on key indicators including: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, perceptions of corruption, and generosity. WAM
Gulf Insider
06-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE Ranked as a Top Country for Happiness, Safety, Entrepreneurship and Soft Power in 2025
The UAE has maintained its rising performance in the global competitiveness race during the first quarter of 2025 by achieving advanced positions in many relevant international and regional indicators and reports. The achieved results signified the effectiveness and efficiency of the comprehensive development strategy pursued by the UAE, and the leadership of its experience in managing government work based on efficiency, proactive planning, and readiness to deal with various changes and challenges. The UAE has been ranked number one globally for the fourth consecutive year by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for the year 2024-2025, surpassing many advanced economies. UAE competitiveness The UAE was also recognised as the world's best destination for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) among 56 economies surveyed in this year's report. The UAE ranked first among high-income countries in 11 out of 13 key indicators, evaluating the institutional frameworks that support entrepreneurship, based on expert assessments. The country outperformed globally in areas including: Financing for entrepreneurial projects Ease of fund access Government policies supporting entrepreneurship Government-related tax and bureaucracy policies Government entrepreneurship programs Integration of entrepreneurship in school and high education Research and development transfer Commercial and professional infrastructure Ease of market entry in terms of burdens and regulatory frameworks Social and cultural standards towards entrepreneurship The UAE has secured 10th place globally in the Global Soft Power Index 2025. The UAE's Nation Brand also witnessed a significant increase in its value to $1.223tn dollars in 2025. The Global Soft Power Index, published by Brand Finance, evaluates 193 countries based on insights from 173,000 business leaders, policymakers, and civil society figures, making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of national influence and perception. The UAE was among the top 10 globally in key categories, ranking: 4th in Future Growth Potential 4th in Generous 7th in A strong and stable economy 8th in Influence 9th in International Relations 9th in Influential in diplomatic circles 9th Advanced technology and innovation 10th in Investment in Space Exploration 10th in Affairs I follow closely The UAE has been ranked the second safest country globally, achieving a safety index score of 84.5, according to the 2025 Safety Index released by Numbeo. Numbeo's annual safety rankings are based on user surveys that assess perceptions of crime levels, personal safety, and experiences with both property and violent crimes. In addition to its high safety ranking, the UAE also recorded the second-lowest crime rate in Numbeo's 2025 Crime Index, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most secure nations worldwide. The UAE is considered the second safest country in the world because it has strict laws regarding crime, drug use and public behaviour, with severe penalties for violations. This acts as a deterrent to criminal activities. Law enforcement is highly efficient, with a strong police presence and a well-equipped security infrastructure. The country also has extensive surveillance, particularly in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, helping authorities monitor and prevent crime effectively. Artificial intelligence and smart policing initiatives are also contributing to quick crime detection and resolution. The UAE's conducive environment for logistics, international trade and digital readiness shone on 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index as the nation topped the Gulf rankings and came in third place globally. This index is an international standard for competitiveness in the logistics services sector for emerging markets and is done by evaluating 50 emerging markets around the world based on critical factors for logistics service providers, such as domestic and international logistics opportunities, business fundamentals and digital readiness. According to the index, the UAE continues its efforts to narrow the gap with the countries that top the rankings, reflecting the success of its investment strategy. The Agility Index report also highlights the UAE's efforts in the areas of sustainability and renewable energy, as the country has invested heavily in clean energy projects. The UAE has secured 21st place in the 2025 World Happiness Report, surpassing the UK, US, and France, and leading Arab Region. This annual survey, compiled by Gallup, ranks 147 nations based on life satisfaction from 2022-2024. The report assesses national happiness levels based on key indicators including: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, perceptions of corruption, and generosity.
Arabian Business
05-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE ranked as a top country for happiness, safety, entrepreneurship and soft power in 2025
The UAE has maintained its rising performance in the global competitiveness race during the first quarter of 2025 by achieving advanced positions in many relevant international and regional indicators and reports. The achieved results signified the effectiveness and efficiency of the comprehensive development strategy pursued by the UAE, and the leadership of its experience in managing government work based on efficiency, proactive planning, and readiness to deal with various changes and challenges. The UAE has been ranked number one globally for the fourth consecutive year by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for the year 2024-2025, surpassing many advanced economies. UAE competitiveness The UAE was also recognised as the world's best destination for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) among 56 economies surveyed in this year's report. The UAE ranked first among high-income countries in 11 out of 13 key indicators, evaluating the institutional frameworks that support entrepreneurship, based on expert assessments. The country outperformed globally in areas including: Financing for entrepreneurial projects Ease of fund access Government policies supporting entrepreneurship Government-related tax and bureaucracy policies Government entrepreneurship programs Integration of entrepreneurship in school and high education Research and development transfer Commercial and professional infrastructure Ease of market entry in terms of burdens and regulatory frameworks Social and cultural standards towards entrepreneurship The UAE has secured 10th place globally in the Global Soft Power Index 2025. The UAE's Nation Brand also witnessed a significant increase in its value to $1.223tn dollars in 2025. The Global Soft Power Index, published by Brand Finance, evaluates 193 countries based on insights from 173,000 business leaders, policymakers, and civil society figures, making it one of the most comprehensive assessments of national influence and perception. The UAE was among the top 10 globally in key categories, ranking: 4th in Future Growth Potential 4th in Generous 7th in A strong and stable economy 8th in Influence 9th in International Relations 9th in Influential in diplomatic circles 9th Advanced technology and innovation 10th in Investment in Space Exploration 10th in Affairs I follow closely The UAE has been ranked the second safest country globally, achieving a safety index score of 84.5, according to the 2025 Safety Index released by Numbeo. Numbeo's annual safety rankings are based on user surveys that assess perceptions of crime levels, personal safety, and experiences with both property and violent crimes. In addition to its high safety ranking, the UAE also recorded the second-lowest crime rate in Numbeo's 2025 Crime Index, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most secure nations worldwide. The UAE is considered the second safest country in the world because it has strict laws regarding crime, drug use and public behaviour, with severe penalties for violations. This acts as a deterrent to criminal activities. Law enforcement is highly efficient, with a strong police presence and a well-equipped security infrastructure. The country also has extensive surveillance, particularly in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, helping authorities monitor and prevent crime effectively. Artificial intelligence and smart policing initiatives are also contributing to quick crime detection and resolution. The UAE's conducive environment for logistics, international trade and digital readiness shone on 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index as the nation topped the Gulf rankings and came in third place globally. This index is an international standard for competitiveness in the logistics services sector for emerging markets and is done by evaluating 50 emerging markets around the world based on critical factors for logistics service providers, such as domestic and international logistics opportunities, business fundamentals and digital readiness. According to the index, the UAE continues its efforts to narrow the gap with the countries that top the rankings, reflecting the success of its investment strategy. The Agility Index report also highlights the UAE's efforts in the areas of sustainability and renewable energy, as the country has invested heavily in clean energy projects. The UAE has secured 21st place in the 2025 World Happiness Report, surpassing the UK, US, and France, and leading Arab Region. This annual survey, compiled by Gallup, ranks 147 nations based on life satisfaction from 2022-2024. The report assesses national happiness levels based on key indicators including: GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, perceptions of corruption, and generosity.
