This report was published at Weforum.org and this is a summary.
The global competitiveness report aims to mirror the business operating environment and competitiveness of over 140 economies worldwide. The report identify advantages as well as impediments to national growth. The WEF centre works with a network of partner institute as well as leading academics worldwide.
The report 2011-2012 comes out amid multiple challenges to the global economy and a continuing shift in the balance of economic activity away from advanced economies toward emerging economies.
The 12 pillars of competitiveness - Brazil`s rank
Institutions - 77º
Infrastructure - 64º
Macroeconomic Environment - 115º
Health and Primary Education - 87º
Higher Education and Training - 57º
Goods Market Efficiency - 113º
Labor Market Efficiency - 83º
Financial Market Development - 43º
Technological Readiness - 54º
Market Size - 10º
Business Sophistication - 31º
Innovation - 44º
Brazil improves five places to rank 53º overall, the country benefits from several competitiveness strenghts, including one of the world`s largest market and a sophisticated business environment thus allowing for important economies of scale and scope. Moreover, the country has an efficient financial market and a high rate of technological adoption and innovation in the region. On a less positive note, Brazil still suffers from weaknesses that hinder its capacity to fulfill its tremendous potential. The lagging quality of its infrastructure, its macroeconomic imbalances, the poor quality of its educational system, the rigidities in the labor market and insuficient progress to boost competition are areas of increasing concern.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Volunteer Teacher XIX
This text is a summary of two reports, the first one published at OECD.org and the other at ECLAC.org, the two with the same issue: Tax to GDP ratios. The first with the title:¨ Tax revenues stabilise in OECD countries in 2010.¨ Published at 29/11/2011 and the other with the title: ¨Rising tax revenues: a key to economic development in Latin America countries.¨ Published at 25/01/2012.
In those report we can see that apart from some countries in Europe, Brazil has the highest tax to GDP ratio in the world. Tax revenues can make a great difference in the development and in the well-being of citizens, when used efficiently.
The annual revenue statistics show that OECD governments have stabilised their tax to GDP ratio with average moving up slightly from 33.8% in 2009 to 33.9% in 2010. Well below the recent highest point 35.2% in 2007. In Spain it declined from 37.2% to 31.7%. In Chile, Israel and US showed declines of 3% to 4% over the same period. Denmark has the highest tax to GDP ratio among OECD countries with 48.2% and Mexico has the lowest with 18.7%.
The average tax to GDP ratio in 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries rose from 14.9% in 1990 to 19.2% in 2009. This increase reflects strong economic growth, taxation of non-renewable natural resources and better management of tax. Despite these improvements the average tax to GDP ratio in OECD countries is much higher than in L. A. and C. countries.( 33.8% compared to 19.2% respectively). Tax to GDP ratio vary from Guatemala with the lowest at 12.2% to Brazil with the highest at 32.6%.
Below, some tax to GDP ratio in some countries, from the highest to lowest. The sources are: Revenue statistics of the OECD countries 2011 edition. And Latin America economic outlook 2011.
Denmark 48.2% Brazil 32.6%
Sweden 45.8% Argentina 31.4%
Italy 43.4% Canada 31.0%
Norway 43.0% USA 24.8%
Belgium 43.0% Uruguay 22.5%
France 42.9% Costa Rica 21.0%
Netherlands 39.0% Chile 20.9%
Germany 37.4% Mexico 18.7%
UK 35% Colombia 17.4%
Estonia 34.0% Peru 16.0%
Poland 31.8% Venezuela 14.4%
Spain 31.7% Republic Dominican 13.1%
Portugal 31.3% Guatemala 12.2%
Greece 30.9%
Switzerland 29.8% Israel 31.4%
Ireland 27.8% New Zealand 31.3%
Japan 26.9%
Turkey 26.0%
Australia 26.0%
South Korea 25.1%
In those report we can see that apart from some countries in Europe, Brazil has the highest tax to GDP ratio in the world. Tax revenues can make a great difference in the development and in the well-being of citizens, when used efficiently.
The annual revenue statistics show that OECD governments have stabilised their tax to GDP ratio with average moving up slightly from 33.8% in 2009 to 33.9% in 2010. Well below the recent highest point 35.2% in 2007. In Spain it declined from 37.2% to 31.7%. In Chile, Israel and US showed declines of 3% to 4% over the same period. Denmark has the highest tax to GDP ratio among OECD countries with 48.2% and Mexico has the lowest with 18.7%.
The average tax to GDP ratio in 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries rose from 14.9% in 1990 to 19.2% in 2009. This increase reflects strong economic growth, taxation of non-renewable natural resources and better management of tax. Despite these improvements the average tax to GDP ratio in OECD countries is much higher than in L. A. and C. countries.( 33.8% compared to 19.2% respectively). Tax to GDP ratio vary from Guatemala with the lowest at 12.2% to Brazil with the highest at 32.6%.
Below, some tax to GDP ratio in some countries, from the highest to lowest. The sources are: Revenue statistics of the OECD countries 2011 edition. And Latin America economic outlook 2011.
Denmark 48.2% Brazil 32.6%
Sweden 45.8% Argentina 31.4%
Italy 43.4% Canada 31.0%
Norway 43.0% USA 24.8%
Belgium 43.0% Uruguay 22.5%
France 42.9% Costa Rica 21.0%
Netherlands 39.0% Chile 20.9%
Germany 37.4% Mexico 18.7%
UK 35% Colombia 17.4%
Estonia 34.0% Peru 16.0%
Poland 31.8% Venezuela 14.4%
Spain 31.7% Republic Dominican 13.1%
Portugal 31.3% Guatemala 12.2%
Greece 30.9%
Switzerland 29.8% Israel 31.4%
Ireland 27.8% New Zealand 31.3%
Japan 26.9%
Turkey 26.0%
Australia 26.0%
South Korea 25.1%
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Volunteer Teacher XVIII part II
Very good project of law, if were approved will increase considerably the number of hotspots ( places where is possible to connect the wi-fi net freely) in Brazil and contribute to the so-called digital inclusion.
Many researchs has shown the slow pace of the broadband expansion, Brazil has been left behind in this important tool of information, integration and education.
Nothing more fair than governmental organizations to share with the population their broadband, because as the project`s author, the congressman João said that these places has good connection channel, if this happens, is because the population pay for it, so why not to share their underutilized connections.
I agree to block pornography webpages, but what kind of mechanisms will be used to detect some possible use for criminal actions, what this really means? I think to block also banks webpages and any shopping online would be enough.
What the population can not accept is some kind of monitoring, the users can not lose their privacy in order to prevent criminal acts in internet, intrusive methods of surveillance is not the answer for this kind of crime, this supposed safety of some users can not come at the expense of loss of privacy of other. This kind of alleged prevention from criminal acts can not come derogating fundamental human rights.
Nobody should accept this kind of surveillance, if not we could create a dangerous precedent to democracy and to the guarantee of individual liberties. As our constitution says in the article 5 ¨ the privacy, private life, honor and image of people are inviolable, and the right for compensation for property or moral damages resulting from their violation is ensured¨. Correspondence and eletronic communication are also protected, except by court order for purposes of criminal investigation or criminal procedural finding the facts.
In 13/03/2012, this project of law was approved by the commission of Labour, administration and public service, lack now be approved by others three commissions, if you want more information about this project of law or anything else regarding project of law, call congress 0800619619 and/or access: camara.gov.br
Many researchs has shown the slow pace of the broadband expansion, Brazil has been left behind in this important tool of information, integration and education.
Nothing more fair than governmental organizations to share with the population their broadband, because as the project`s author, the congressman João said that these places has good connection channel, if this happens, is because the population pay for it, so why not to share their underutilized connections.
I agree to block pornography webpages, but what kind of mechanisms will be used to detect some possible use for criminal actions, what this really means? I think to block also banks webpages and any shopping online would be enough.
What the population can not accept is some kind of monitoring, the users can not lose their privacy in order to prevent criminal acts in internet, intrusive methods of surveillance is not the answer for this kind of crime, this supposed safety of some users can not come at the expense of loss of privacy of other. This kind of alleged prevention from criminal acts can not come derogating fundamental human rights.
Nobody should accept this kind of surveillance, if not we could create a dangerous precedent to democracy and to the guarantee of individual liberties. As our constitution says in the article 5 ¨ the privacy, private life, honor and image of people are inviolable, and the right for compensation for property or moral damages resulting from their violation is ensured¨. Correspondence and eletronic communication are also protected, except by court order for purposes of criminal investigation or criminal procedural finding the facts.
In 13/03/2012, this project of law was approved by the commission of Labour, administration and public service, lack now be approved by others three commissions, if you want more information about this project of law or anything else regarding project of law, call congress 0800619619 and/or access: camara.gov.br
Monday, March 12, 2012
Volunteer Teacher XVIII
This text is a summary of two reports published about the same issue: the project of law number 2021/2011. The sources are: Esmaelmorais.com.br and Congress news agency. Translation by me.
The project of law 2021/2011 preview that public institutions release signal wireless internet for free. In August 2011, the congressman João Arruda presented the project that determine all public bodies, federal, state and municipal to provide the wi-fi signal to universal access to the population 24 hours a day.
According to the project, universities, cityhall, state and municipal departments, ministries, libraries, courtrooms, etc. Will have to prepare to share the wi-fi freely nearby around. The system will have due filter to prevent access to pornography and mechanisms to detect the use for criminal actions. The congressman João says, ¨These places possess good connection channels that are underutilized, mainly when there is not the working hours¨.
The proposition which is being processed in conclusive disposition, (rite of conduct by which the project do not need to be voted by plenary, only by the commissions appointed to analyzed them) will be reviewed by commissions responsibles: 1- Labour, administration and public service. 2- Science and technology, communication and IT. 3- Finance and tributation. 4- Constitution, justice and citizenship.
The project of law 2021/2011 preview that public institutions release signal wireless internet for free. In August 2011, the congressman João Arruda presented the project that determine all public bodies, federal, state and municipal to provide the wi-fi signal to universal access to the population 24 hours a day.
According to the project, universities, cityhall, state and municipal departments, ministries, libraries, courtrooms, etc. Will have to prepare to share the wi-fi freely nearby around. The system will have due filter to prevent access to pornography and mechanisms to detect the use for criminal actions. The congressman João says, ¨These places possess good connection channels that are underutilized, mainly when there is not the working hours¨.
The proposition which is being processed in conclusive disposition, (rite of conduct by which the project do not need to be voted by plenary, only by the commissions appointed to analyzed them) will be reviewed by commissions responsibles: 1- Labour, administration and public service. 2- Science and technology, communication and IT. 3- Finance and tributation. 4- Constitution, justice and citizenship.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The First School for Broadband Policymakers in the Region is Inaugurated
This report was published at ECLAC.org in October 17, 2011. This is a summary and the title is above.
Today, the first school for broadband policymakers organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC) with the support of World bank was inaugurated in Santiago - Chile.
¨We hope that this will help the process of regional and independent market, which contributes to expanding information and communication technologies (ICT)¨, said the executive secretary of ECLAC, Antonio Prado.
The objective is to create a space for debate between the public, academic and private sectors, to analyse issues relating to the massification of this services in L.A. and C.
Some of the speakers for broadband policymakers include renowned experts such as Paulo Lopes from European Union, who presented experiences of policies.
The service charge is almost five times higher than the average recorded in the countries of the OECD. The countries of South America also showed an improvement in broadband access speed. The uplink speed increased by 64% between January 2010 and August 2011, while the downlink speed increased by 75%. However, this is not enough, in Europe the uplink speed is almost four times greater, while the downlink speed is three times greater.
Today, the first school for broadband policymakers organized by the Economic Commission for Latin America and Caribbean (ECLAC) with the support of World bank was inaugurated in Santiago - Chile.
¨We hope that this will help the process of regional and independent market, which contributes to expanding information and communication technologies (ICT)¨, said the executive secretary of ECLAC, Antonio Prado.
The objective is to create a space for debate between the public, academic and private sectors, to analyse issues relating to the massification of this services in L.A. and C.
Some of the speakers for broadband policymakers include renowned experts such as Paulo Lopes from European Union, who presented experiences of policies.
The service charge is almost five times higher than the average recorded in the countries of the OECD. The countries of South America also showed an improvement in broadband access speed. The uplink speed increased by 64% between January 2010 and August 2011, while the downlink speed increased by 75%. However, this is not enough, in Europe the uplink speed is almost four times greater, while the downlink speed is three times greater.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
The Open Society
This report was published by Economist.com at 25 Feb 2010. This is a summary and the title is above.
These days democratic openness means more than citizens can vote at regular intervals in free and fair elections. They also expect to have access to government data, now citizens and NGOs are pressing to get access to public data at the national, state and municipal level. ¨Government information is a form of infrastructure, no less important than roads or water system¨, says Carl Malamud ( winner of the Berkman award from Harvard ¨for his extraordinary contributions to the internet impact`s on society¨) boss and founder of Public.Resource.org , a NGO that put government data online.
America is in the lead on data access. ¨Providing access to data creates a culture of accountability¨, says Vivek Kundra, US government CIO ( Chief Information Office ).
Now that citizens` groups and companies have the raw data, they can use them to improve city services in ways that cash-strapped local government can not. Other parts of the world are also beginning to move to greater openness. Europe`s digital activists use the web to track politicians and to try to improve public services. In Britain, Fixmystreet.com gives citizens the opportunity to flag up local problems. That allow local authorities to find out people`s concern and once the problem has been publicly aired it becomes difficult to ignore. The point of open information is not merely to expose the world but to change it. In recent years moves towards more transparency in government have become one of the most promising areas of public policy. But transparency alone is not enough. There has to be a community to champion the information. Providers need an incentive to supply the data as well as penalties for withholding them and web developers have to find ways that the public data are used effectively.
Cash-strapped - very short of money
Aired - exposed to fresh air
To champion - strongly support the cause
Withhold - refuse to give something wanted by other person
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