Latest news with #WorldCompetitivenessCentre
Irish Examiner
11 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland falls to seventh place in competitiveness rankings
Ireland has fallen to seventh place in the latest World Competitiveness Rankings, as the country suffered a significant fall in efficiency of doing business. According to the latest rankings from the International Institute for Management Development's (IMD) World Competitiveness Centre, which has been ranking the competitiveness of countries for 37 years, Ireland fell three places from fourth in 2024. Ireland stood at second in the rankings in 2023. The IMD rankings assess 69 economies around the world based on their competitive business environment. It is based on hundreds of indicators across four areas such as economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure. Switzerland took the top spot this year, followed by Singapore in second place, and Hong Kong in third. Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, and Taiwan were also ahead of Ireland. Ireland was the highest ranking member of the eurozone on the list. Sweden, Qatar, and the Netherlands rounded out the top 10 places on the list. The US stood in 13th place in this year's rankings, while China fell to 16th. Germany rose five places to 19th, the UK was in 29th place, and Spain was in 39th place. Nigeria, Namibia, and Venezuela were all at the bottom of this year's rankings. In terms of the metrics, Ireland was on par in almost every category compared to 2024, however, there was a significant fall-off recorded in the business efficiency category. In 2023 and 2024, Ireland ranked third in the world in this area but in 2025 it has fallen to 11th. The country still ranks highly in government efficiency, in fifth place. It placed ninth in economic performance, despite ranking 33rd for the domestic economy and 46th for prices. While it ranked 17th in infrastructure, this was the same ranking the country had in 2024. According to IMD, the final score for each economy is computed by using the perceptions of executives, together with statistical data. The hard data represent a weight of two-thirds in the overall rankings. This year, the hard data was computed to form 170 criteria. Read More Irish exports fell 43% in April compared to March as tariffs hit trade
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
UAE Cabinet discusses nation's high ranking in global competitiveness report
The UAE has ranked in the top five countries in the world for competitiveness, according to the results of a study which was discussed during a meeting of the UAE Cabinet. The meeting, which was chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, took place at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The UAE's position in the 2025 Annual Competitiveness Report issued by the World Competitiveness Centre was on the agenda. The Emirates ranked fifth globally for economic competitiveness, government efficiency, legislative strength and business environment. The highest-ranked nation was Switzerland, with Singapore, Hong Kong and Denmark rounding off the top four. "We established a Competitiveness Centre 16 years ago and streamlined the efforts of the most important national institutions in this field," said Sheikh Mohammed on X. "Thanks to these efforts, the UAE advanced from 28th place globally in 2009 to the world's top five most competitive countries." The UAE's climbed two places from last year. Housing support worth Dh1.2 billion ($330,000) was also approved for more than 1,800 Emiratis during Tuesday's meeting. The housing support, approved by the Cabinet, will enhance family stability, said Sheikh Mohammed in a post on X. The Cabinet also approved the results and work of the Emirates Council for Balanced Development. "The Council continues its efforts to implement projects and build national partnerships to develop the UAE's villages across the tourism, development and social sectors. Its efforts have contributed to creating unique opportunities for families, young talents and small business owners," said Sheikh Mohammed. "The Council's message is that no part of the UAE, near or far, should be excluded from the massive development momentum our country is witnessing." Growing in numbers The amount of people using the UAE Pass digital identity system was also reviewed. The number of registered users was 11 million, with more than 600 million logins. The service now connects more than 13 government entities, Sheikh Mohammed said. A restructuring of the country's attempts to tackle money laundering was also approved in Tuesday's meeting. "Over the past few years, the committee has achieved remarkable success in strengthening strategies and procedures in the field of money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism at the national level," said Sheikh Mohammed. "The committee will continue its work to ensure that the UAE remains a global leader in the field of combatting money laundering and the financing of terrorism." The establishment of a Maritime Navigation Centre was also approved. The centre will manage and operate the integrated national maritime system, said Sheikh Mohammed, who is also Vice President. The Cabinet also reviewed the 2024 report of the Higher Commission for Free Trade Negotiations. The report showcased the signing and conclusion of negotiations for 27 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with other countries, of which eight have already come into effect, the UAE Government Media Office reported. New embassies will be established in Togo, Gabon, Cameroon and Tajikistan, alongside a UAE Consulate General in Miami in the US state of Florida, the media office said on Tuesday.
Arabian Business
12-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai named world's 4th smartest city
Dubai has advanced eight places to rank fourth globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, marking a major milestone in its digital transformation journey. The achievement reinforces Dubai's position as the highest-ranked city in the GCC, the Arab world and Asia, and highlights its status as a global leader in smart city development and future-ready urban innovation. Dubai recorded strong performance across key indicators in the IMD Smart City Index 2025. Dubai climbs Smart City rankings These include: A satisfaction score of 84.5 out of 100 for booking medical appointments online 86.5 per cent confidence in internet speed meeting communication needs 85.4 per cent satisfaction with the online processing of identification documents 82.8 for the quality of health services 83.4 per cent satisfaction with access to green spaces 84.3 per cent for recycling services 86.5 per cent for cultural activities In the 2025 report, Dubai recorded progress in 16 out of 20 technology indicators and achieved advancement across all four pillars of technology governance, underscoring its commitment to continuous innovation and smart city excellence. The IMD Smart City Index, issued by the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, is a globally recognised analytical tool that assesses how effectively cities leverage digital technologies to enhance residents' quality of life. Now in its sixth year, the Index evaluates cities across critical pillars including health, mobility, activities, governance, and opportunities. The results are drawn from a direct survey of residents and citizens who express their perception of the city. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: 'Dubai's fourth-place ranking in the 2025 Smart City Index, issued by the Institute for Management Development (IMD), is a testament to the collective efforts of government entities and private sector partners in transforming Dubai into the world's smartest city. 'This milestone reflects Dubai's strategic commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technologies to deliver high-quality services, elevate the quality of life, and enhance the well-being and happiness of its residents. 'RTA supports the government's smart transformation efforts and has contributed effectively to securing this prestigious global ranking for Dubai in the Smart City Index, outperforming the transport sectors of the top three cities: Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva. 'This success was driven by excellence across three core mobility pillars: vehicle-sharing applications, with a utilisation rate of 67.9 per cent, exceeding the top three by 24.4 per cent; smart parking search applications at 73.8 per cent, surpassing them by 29.8 per cent; and bicycle rental applications, with a usage rate of 70 per cent, outperforming them by 17.3 per cent.' Al Tayer noted that the RTA has been instrumental in reinforcing Dubai's position in the Smart City Index by advancing digital infrastructure and delivering smart services that address the evolving needs of residents and visitors. The integration of artificial intelligence and big data into traffic management has improved traffic flow and reduced congestion by up to 25 per cent, he said. He said: 'RTA is implementing a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and is actively progressing the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25 per cent of all mobility trips in the city into autonomous journeys by 2030. 'In addition, RTA's Digital Strategy 2023–2030 features 82 projects and initiatives with a total investment of AED1.6bn ($436mm). 'The strategy aims to consolidate RTA's global leadership in digital transformation through optimal data utilisation, a fully scalable and adaptive digital infrastructure, complete enablement of fintech-driven mobility, 95 per cent digital adoption of services, 100 per cent digital empowerment of employees, and the development of 50 artificial intelligence use cases'. Al Tayer said that the RTA has also recently adopted its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030, aimed at reinforcing its global leadership in AI-driven mobility. The strategy focuses on building an integrated, interconnected ecosystem that enhances the quality of life in Dubai. The strategy, he said, comprises 81 projects and initiatives across key pillars: customer happiness, seamless and innovative mobility, intelligent traffic management, smart licensing, future readiness, and asset excellence. It also plays a pivotal role in further cementing Dubai's position as a leading global smart city. IMD Smart City Index 2025 top 10 Zurich Oslo Geneva Dubai Abu Dhabi London Copenhagen Canberra Singapore Lausanne Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said: 'Dubai's rise to fourth place globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, and its top ranking across the GCC, the Arab world and Asia, represents a major milestone. 'This accomplishment reflects the emirate's rapid strides in adopting global best practices in artificial intelligence, smart technologies and advanced digital infrastructure. 'It also reaffirms Dubai's leadership in digital transformation and sustainable security. Such progress is the outcome of close collaboration among government entities, working in line with the vision of Dubai's leadership. 'This international recognition strengthens confidence in Dubai's digital framework and reinforces our commitment at Dubai Police to continue developing proactive, innovative security solutions that improve quality of life, preserve safety gains, and deliver high-quality public services. 'We will keep collaborating with our strategic partners to further establish Dubai as a global benchmark for smart and digital cities, in line with the leadership's vision of making Dubai a smart, secure, and sustainable city.' Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, said the achievement reflects the leadership's commitment to placing quality of life at the heart of all development efforts. She noted that the Authority continues to leverage advanced technologies to empower individuals and ensure inclusive access to services and opportunities for all members of society. She added that the city's rise in the IMD Smart City Index reflects a holistic approach to digital transformation, one that places quality of life at its core. This approach aligns with Dubai's social agenda, which prioritises individual well-being and views measurable improvements in daily life as the true benchmark of progress. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, said: 'The IMD Smart City Index is not just a ranking, it reflects how residents perceive the real impact of digital technologies in their everyday lives. 'This achievement is the outcome of a city-wide commitment to excellence, agility, and innovation. The progress stems from the unwavering collaboration between public and private sectors — and above all, the tireless work of our teams in fulfilling the vision of our leadership. 'I extend my appreciation to all those who contributed to this achievement and urge them to continue pursuing excellence. As we rise higher, the competition intensifies, but I remain confident in our national talent and capabilities to not only maintain this position, but to advance even further. 'At Digital Dubai, in close collaboration with government entities, we remain committed to driving innovation and leadership, simplifying life for individuals and businesses, and reinforcing the digital economy through the adoption of advanced smart technologies. 'Guided by the vision of our leadership, we continue working to realise the future of Dubai, a city that stands as a global beacon of hope, happiness and opportunity.' Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), said that Dubai has become a global benchmark for smart cities and the digital economy, a transformation driven by the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. She said: 'Dubai's digital infrastructure supports our sustainable development goals and has improved our ranking in the IMD Smart City Index. We aim to create the world's most efficient, integrated, and secure city, reinforcing the emirate's appeal as a place to live, work, and thrive. 'At Dubai Culture, we adhere to government technology standards across all our initiatives and apply advanced solutions to enhance the services we offer artists, creatives and cultural professionals. Through exhibitions, workshops, and events under the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy, we empower entrepreneurs, foster a spirit of innovation, and inspire talent to channel their ideas in service of the community—an essential pillar of our mission to make culture accessible to all.' This achievement marks a key milestone in the implementation of the Dubai Digital Strategy, which aims to digitise all aspects of life in the emirate and reinforce its position among the world's top three cities for living and economic opportunity. The strategy is driven by advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and Fourth Industrial Revolution tools, with a strong focus on customer-centricity that places people at the core of digital transformation. The IMD Smart City Index is based on comprehensive resident surveys, reflecting how people experience services and how effectively digital solutions enhance their daily lives. This resident-first approach is closely aligned with the city's vision of becoming the best city in the world to live and work in, where technology serves as a bridge to well-being, opportunity, and sustainable growth for all.
Zawya
12-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Dubai ranks 4th globally in IMD Smart City Index 2025
Dubai has advanced eight places to rank 4th globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, marking a major milestone in its digital transformation journey. The achievement reinforces Dubai's position as the highest-ranked city in the GCC, the Arab world and Asia, and highlights its status as a global leader in smart city development and future-ready urban innovation. Dubai recorded strong performance across key indicators in the IMD Smart City Index 2025. These include a satisfaction score of 84.5 out of 100 for booking medical appointments online, 86.5% confidence in internet speed meeting communication needs, and 85.4% satisfaction with the online processing of identification documents. Additional results show 82.8 for the quality of health services, 83.4% satisfaction with access to green spaces, 84.3% for recycling services, and 86.5% for cultural activities. In the 2025 report, Dubai recorded progress in 16 out of 20 technology indicators and achieved advancement across all four pillars of technology governance, underscoring its commitment to continuous innovation and smart city excellence. The IMD Smart City Index, issued by the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, is a globally recognised analytical tool that assesses how effectively cities leverage digital technologies to enhance residents' quality of life. Now in its sixth year, the Index evaluates cities across critical pillars including health, mobility, activities, governance, and opportunities. The results are drawn from a direct survey of residents and citizens who express their perception of the city. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said, 'Dubai's fourth-place ranking in the 2025 Smart City Index, issued by the Institute for Management Development (IMD), is a testament to the collective efforts of government entities and private sector partners in transforming Dubai into the world's smartest city. This milestone reflects Dubai's strategic commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technologies to deliver high-quality services, elevate the quality of life, and enhance the well-being and happiness of its residents.' Al Tayer added, 'RTA supports the government's smart transformation efforts and has contributed effectively to securing this prestigious global ranking for Dubai in the Smart City Index, outperforming the transport sectors of the top three cities: Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva. This success was driven by excellence across three core mobility pillars: vehicle-sharing applications, with a utilisation rate of 67.9%, exceeding the top three by 24.4%; smart parking search applications at 73.8%, surpassing them by 29.8%; and bicycle rental applications, with a usage rate of 70%, outperforming them by 17.3%.' Al Tayer noted that the RTA has been instrumental in reinforcing Dubai's position in the Smart City Index by advancing digital infrastructure and delivering smart services that address the evolving needs of residents and visitors. The integration of artificial intelligence and big data into traffic management has improved traffic flow and reduced congestion by up to 25%, he said. 'RTA is implementing a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and is actively progressing the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25% of all mobility trips in the city into autonomous journeys by 2030. 'In addition, RTA's Digital Strategy 2023–2030 features 82 projects and initiatives with a total investment of AED1.6 billion. The strategy aims to consolidate RTA's global leadership in digital transformation through optimal data utilisation, a fully scalable and adaptive digital infrastructure, complete enablement of fintech-driven mobility, 95% digital adoption of services, 100% digital empowerment of employees, and the development of 50 artificial intelligence use cases,' he said. Al Tayer said that the RTA has also recently adopted its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030, aimed at reinforcing its global leadership in AI-driven mobility. The strategy focuses on building an integrated, interconnected ecosystem that enhances the quality of life in Dubai. The strategy, he said, comprises 81 projects and initiatives across key pillars: customer happiness, seamless and innovative mobility, intelligent traffic management, smart licensing, future readiness, and asset excellence. It also plays a pivotal role in further cementing Dubai's position as a leading global smart city. Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said, 'Dubai's rise to fourth place globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, and its top ranking across the GCC, the Arab world and Asia, represents a major milestone. This accomplishment reflects the emirate's rapid strides in adopting global best practices in artificial intelligence, smart technologies and advanced digital infrastructure. It also reaffirms Dubai's leadership in digital transformation and sustainable security. Such progress is the outcome of close collaboration among government entities, working in line with the vision of Dubai's leadership.' He added, 'This international recognition strengthens confidence in Dubai's digital framework and reinforces our commitment at Dubai Police to continue developing proactive, innovative security solutions that improve quality of life, preserve safety gains, and deliver high-quality public services. We will keep collaborating with our strategic partners to further establish Dubai as a global benchmark for smart and digital cities, in line with the leadership's vision of making Dubai a smart, secure, and sustainable city.' Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director-General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, said the achievement reflects the leadership's commitment to placing quality of life at the heart of all development efforts. She noted that the Authority continues to leverage advanced technologies to empower individuals and ensure inclusive access to services and opportunities for all members of society. She added that Dubai's rise in the IMD Smart City Index reflects a holistic approach to digital transformation, one that places quality of life at its core. This approach aligns with Dubai's social agenda, which prioritises individual well-being and views measurable improvements in daily life as the true benchmark of progress. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, said, 'The IMD Smart City Index is not just a ranking, it reflects how residents perceive the real impact of digital technologies in their everyday lives. This achievement is the outcome of a city-wide commitment to excellence, agility, and innovation. The progress stems from the unwavering collaboration between public and private sectors — and above all, the tireless work of our teams in fulfilling the vision of our leadership.' Al Mansoori added, 'I extend my appreciation to all those who contributed to this achievement and urge them to continue pursuing excellence. As we rise higher, the competition intensifies, but I remain confident in our national talent and capabilities to not only maintain this position, but to advance even further. At Digital Dubai, in close collaboration with government entities, we remain committed to driving innovation and leadership, simplifying life for individuals and businesses, and reinforcing the digital economy through the adoption of advanced smart technologies. Guided by the vision of our leadership, we continue working to realise the future of Dubai, a city that stands as a global beacon of hope, happiness and opportunity.' Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), said that Dubai has become a global benchmark for smart cities and the digital economy, a transformation driven by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. She said, 'Dubai's digital infrastructure supports our sustainable development goals and has improved our ranking in the IMD Smart City Index. We aim to create the world's most efficient, integrated, and secure city, reinforcing the emirate's appeal as a place to live, work, and thrive. "At Dubai Culture, we adhere to government technology standards across all our initiatives and apply advanced solutions to enhance the services we offer artists, creatives and cultural professionals. Through exhibitions, workshops, and events under the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy, we empower entrepreneurs, foster a spirit of innovation, and inspire talent to channel their ideas in service of the community—an essential pillar of our mission to make culture accessible to all.' This achievement marks a key milestone in the implementation of the Dubai Digital Strategy, which aims to digitise all aspects of life in the emirate and reinforce its position among the world's top three cities for living and economic opportunity. The strategy is driven by advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and Fourth Industrial Revolution tools, with a strong focus on customer-centricity that places people at the core of digital transformation. The IMD Smart City Index is based on comprehensive resident surveys, reflecting how people experience services and how effectively digital solutions enhance their daily lives. This resident-first approach is closely aligned with Dubai's vision of becoming the best city in the world to live and work in, where technology serves as a bridge to well-being, opportunity, and sustainable growth for all.
