Iceland receives 21 top-3 rankings and is number one of the OECD countries according to The Global Benchmark Report 2006, an annual assessments of the development in the OECD countries with regards to how the global challenge is met.

The report, published by the Confederation of Danish Industries, highlights individual strengths and weaknesses in a globalised world, thereby giving a picture of each country’s capability to seize the opportunities of globalisation.

According to the report five countries stand out as achieving most top-3 rankings. Iceland is in front with as much as 21 top-3 rankings followed by Switzerland, Finland, the United States and South Korea, which all manage between 17 and 20 top-3 rankings. Iceland’s impressive outcome is especially due to high rankings in business flexibility and enterprise and entrepreneurship.

The report compares 29 OECD countries’ performance and business environments. When possible, data from China, India and Russia is included. The comparison is based on 88 indicators divided into six main sections:

• Global performance
• Knowledge and competence
• Business flexibility
• Enterprise and entrepreneurship
• Costs and taxes
• International engagement and openness

The Globalisation Report 2006 is the second in a series of reports giving DI’s annual assessment of the development in the business environment and performance of the individual OECD member countries.