Daily Times

The Global Competitiveness Report 2019 of the World Economic Forum lauds NAB’s efforts to aware people about the ill effects of corruption in order to make Pakistan corruption free under corruption Contribution to Pakistan’s Competitiveness in 2019 as compared to last year, this was said by Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of Mishal Pakistan, Country Partner Institute of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Economic Progress System Initiative. Mr. Amir Jahangir while presenting the official copy of the Global Competitive Report of World Economic Forum to Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at NAB Headquarters in Islamabad on Tuesday.

On the occasion, Honorable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB thanked the World Economic Forum and Mishal Pakistan, Country Partner Institute of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Economic Progress System Initiative for their confidence and appreciation for the efforts undertaken by National Accountability Bureau in the last 12 months. He said NAB is absolutely committed to eradicate corruption from the country by adopting Accountability for All” Policy. NAB has made three pronged strategy of Awareness, Prevention and Enforcement in order to aware people about the ill effects of corruption and to bring the corrupt elements to justice as per law

Earlier, Mr. Amir Jahangir briefed the Chairman NAB about the progress made by Pakistan on the Competitiveness 4.0 in the last 12 months. He said that, the country has made good progress on the institutions pillars”. A change of 2 ranks from 109 last year to 107 this year. The Institution pillar captures the progress on transparency, Security, property rights, social capital, checks and balances and ethics, performance of both the public-sector and corporate governance.

He said that NAB’s efforts and successful interventions have impacted in improving Pakistan’s competitiveness scorers, where organized white collar crime has improved 9 points i.e. from 121 in 2018 to 112 this year. The complaints of corruption have been reported more than the last year. Due to this, moved 2 ranks from 99 last year to 101 this year. This is an improvement in scores from 32 to 33 this year compared to 2018. This also signifies the number of incidents being reported now as much more as compared to last year. A noteworthy improvement of public trust in NAB has increased in order to tackle national level accountability challenges.

The Competitiveness 4.0 has evolved and to make countries more future ready for public policy delivery and ensure future challenges and complexities due to the ever-changing relations between governments and their citizens. Pakistan has made great progress on some of the indicators responsible for futures and foresight, especially on the “Government ensuring policy stability”, where Pakistan has been ranked at 80 among 141 countries globally. Suggesting Pakistan to continue its efforts on accountability for all and drive against corruption.

The Report also identifies that Pakistan needs to focus more on improving its “Legal framework’s adaptability to digital business models”, although Pakistan scores at 41 this year, lack of attention to digital businesses and cybersecurity can impact the country in the future. This also includes cybercrimes and digital frauds and loss to public at large.

The Report has adopted a new methodology for measuring Competitiveness 4.0. by including indices which represents more knowledge and digital-based ecosystems. The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) 4.0 provides a detailed map of the factors and attributes that drive productivity, growth and human development in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The 2019 edition covers 141 economies, which account for 99% of the world’s GDP.

The World Economic Forum defines competitiveness as the set of institutions, policies and factors that determine the level of productivity of a country. Countries can improve their investment potentials by improving their competitiveness rankings. The Global Competitiveness Report, which in 2018 used a brand new methodology to fully capture the dynamics of the global economy in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, many of the factors that will have the greatest impact in driving competitiveness in the future have never been the focus of major policy decisions in the past. These include idea generation, entrepreneurial culture, openness, and agility. The new tool maps the competitiveness landscape of 141 economies through 103 indicators organized into 12 pillars.

The Global Competitiveness Index 4.0 provides a compass for thriving in the new economy of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In the present context of economic uncertainty, trade tensions, and social and environmental challenges, it is even more critical that policymakers use the comprehensive tools of competitiveness to put the world economy on a path of growing productivity, inclusion and sustainability.

The Report is a reminder to national policy makers to apply a holistic approach and better balance short-term considerations against factors whose impact is felt beyond quarterly results and election cycles. Governments must better anticipate the unintended consequences of technological integration and implement complementary social policies that support populations through the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Global Competitiveness Report is a flagship publication of the World Economic Forum’s Platform for Shaping the Future of the New Economy and Society. The Platform provides the opportunity to advancing prosperous, inclusive and equitable economies and societies. It focuses on co-creating a new vision in three interconnected areas: growth and competitiveness; education, skills and work; and equality and inclusion. Working together, stakeholders deepen their understanding of complex issues, shape new models and standards and drive scalable, collaborative action for systemic change.

Mishal Pakistan is Pakistan’s leading strategic communication and design company. It is also the country Partner Institute of the Future of Economic Progress System Initiative, World Economic Forum. Mishal is responsible to generate primary data on more than 100 indicators measuring Pakistan’s competitiveness. Mishal’s foremost domain of activity is behaviour change communication, strategic communication with a spotlight on media and perception management.