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WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

The 12 Pillars of Competitiveness

Second Pillar: Infrastructure

Extensive and efficient infrastructure is critical for ensuring the effective functioning of the economy, as it is an important factor determining the location of economic activity and the kinds of activities or sectors that can develop in a particular instance. Well-developed infrastructure reduces the effect of distance between regions, integrating the national market and connecting it at low cost to markets in other countries and regions. In addition, the quality and extensiveness of infrastructure networks significantly impact economic growth and reduce income inequalities and poverty in a variety of ways. A well-developed transport and communications infrastructure network is a prerequisite for the access of less-developed communities to core economic activities and services.

Effective modes of transport, including quality roads, railroads, ports, and air transport, enable entrepreneurs to get their goods and services to market in a secure and timely manner and facilitate the movement of workers to the most suitable jobs. Economies also depend on electricity supplies that are free of interruptions and shortages so that businesses and factories can work unimpeded. Finally, a solid and extensive telecommunications network allows for a rapid and free flow of information, which increases overall economic efficiency by helping to ensure that businesses can communicate and decisions are made by economic actors taking into account all available relevant information.

Download the full version (PDF): The Global Competitiveness Report 2011-2012

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Tags: 12 Pillars of Competitiveness, Center for Global Competitiveness and Performance, Global Competitiveness, Thierry Geiger, World Economic Forum

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 7th, 2011 at 12:13 pm and is filed under Accountability, Aging Infrastructure, Competitiveness, Energy, Environment, Global, Infra Views, Policy, Public Transportation, Recession, Schools, Seaports, Smart Grid, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Technology, Transit . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.