Originally posted by shooz Sweden should be proud of this.
What I find amazing is that none of our resident right wingers have an explanation.
no buzz words.. Rush and Limburger have no comments, Faux ignores it, lamesteam media is embarrassed.... ect.........
Quote: Sweden benefits from the world’s most transparent and efficient public institutions, with very low levels of corruption and undue influence and a government that is considered to be one of the most efficient in the world, the report stated.
Private institutions also receive excellent marks, with firms that demonstrate the utmost ethical behavior (ranked 1st), strong auditing and reporting standards, and well-functioning corporate boards. Goods and financial markets are also very efficient.
“Combined with a strong focus on education over the years (ranked 2nd for higher education and training) and the world’s strongest technological adoption (ranked 1st in the technological readiness pillar), Sweden has developed a very sophisticated business culture (2nd) and is one of the world’s leading innovators (ranked 5th)", the the World Economic Forum said in the report.
“These characteristics come together to make Sweden one of the most productive and competitive economies in the world”.
The most knotty factors for doing business in Sweden was restrictive labor regulations, high tax rates and messy tax regulations. The organization also pointed out poor access to financing as an off-putting factor.
The Nordic countries continue to be well positioned in the ranking, with Sweden, Finland (7th) and Denmark (9th) among the top 10, and with Norway at 14th.
The United Kingdom, after falling in the rankings over recent years, moves back up by one place to 12th position. Germany came in at number five, followed by Japan.
also:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-15/riksbank-raises-rate-to-1-5-signals...ightening.html
We have to do evrything the "American way" slash and burn, pain and suffering.......
NOT TOO MANY #1's...
Were #1 in "extent of marketing", "university-industry collaboration" , "gdp" and domestic market size
One that sticks out:
64th in "regulation of security exchanges"
Knock yourself out......... 516 pages of were not #1, we could be BUT were not............
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GlobalCompetitivenessReport_2010-11.pdf
One more fun one........
To what extent do government officials in your country show favoritism to well-connected firms and individuals when deciding upon policies and
contracts? [1 = always show favoritism; 7 = never show favoritism] | 2009–10 weighted average
#55 (#1 being the closest to 7)United States.........................3.3
1st pillar: Institutions
1.01 Property rights.........................................................................40
1.02 Intellectual property protection ...............................................24
1.03 Diversion of public funds.........................................................34
1.04 Public trust of politicians .........................................................54
1.05 Irregular payments and bribes.................................................40
1.06 Judicial independence .............................................................35
1.07 Favoritism in decisions of government officials ......................55
1.08 Wastefulness of government spending ..................................68
1.09 Burden of government regulation ...........................................49
1.10 Efficiency of legal framework in settling disputes ..................33
1.11 Efficiency of legal framework in challenging regulations ........35
1.12 Transparency of government policymaking.............................41
1.13 Business costs of terrorism ..................................................125
1.14 Business costs of crime and violence.....................................84
1.15 Organized crime ......................................................................86
1.16 Reliability of police services ....................................................26
1.17 Ethical behavior of firms..........................................................30
1.18 Strength of auditing and reporting standards..........................55
1.19 Efficacy of corporate boards ...................................................28
1.20 Protection of minority shareholders’ interests ........................40
1.21 Strength of investor protection* ...............................................5
It's not what the gov spend but how you spend it.....