SA gains three slots in competitiveness rankings

US economy is top of the pile ED RICHARDSON SOUTH AFRICA is becoming more competitive, according to the 2005 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, which ranks the competitiveness of businesses in 60 countries, worldwide. This year, South Africa was positioned 46th, three places higher than the previous 49th spot. The country was ranked number one for price stability. The positions are judged according to four specific categories that contribute towards sustaining an environment that is conducive to good business growth and productivity. The criteria include economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure. However, the yearbook says businesses in SA need to learn methods from those in other top countries which have long-term competitiveness, in order to improve their position. The study shows that the US economy is ranked the most competitive. They owe their success to: entrepreneurship, mass technology, flexible workforce, large capital markets and their infrastructure that is of high quality.