WASHINGTON  Many countries are a long way
from having the infrastructure to support technology
companies, and economic expansion will stagnate
without necessary improvements, according to a
report released last week.

The report, prepared by officials responsible for
worldwide Y2K readiness last year, rates 42 nations
in the areas of connectivity, technological leadership,
information security, worker training and business
climate. Twenty-three, including China, Russia and
South Africa, require substantial improvement in at
least two areas before technology companies and
governmental tech efforts can flourish.

-- spider (spider0@usa.net), August 28, 2000