The Global Opportunity in IT-Based
Services : Assessing and Enhancing Country Competitiveness

This book aims to help policy makers
take advantage of the opportunities presented by increased
cross-border trade in information technology (IT) services
and IT-enabled services (ITES). It begins by defining the
two industries and estimating the potential global market
opportunities for trade in each. Then it discusses economic
and other benefits for countries that succeed in these
areas, along with factors crucial to the competitiveness of
a country or location, including skills, cost advantages,
infrastructure, and a hospitable business environment, and
examines the potential competitiveness of small countries
and of least developed countries specifically. The volume
also discusses policy options for enabling growth in the IT
services and ITES industries. Appendix A introduces the
Location Readiness Index (LRI), a modeling tool to help
countries assess their IT and ITES industries. Finally,
appendix B presents an analysis of the IT and ITES
industries in Indonesia and Kenya as an illustrative
application of the LRI.