Source： Taiwan Today
By Aaron Hsu
Taiwan is the second most competitive economy in Asia behind only Singapore, according to a report released March 21 by the mainland China-based Research Institute of Boao Forum for Asia.

In its 2012 Annual Asia Competitiveness Report, the institute measured the competitiveness of 37 Asian economies using five indexes: Commercial and Administrative Efficiency, Human Capital and Innovation, Infrastructure, Macroeconomic Strength and Social Development.

Taiwan topped the list in the Human Capital and Innovation component, with its higher education enrollment rate second only to South Korea in Asia.

The island also owns the highest number of patents issued per 100 citizens, a fact that also contributed to Taiwan’s high ranking, the report said.

In the Infrastructure Index, Taiwan moved up two seats from last year to No. 6. It also jumped from No. 19 to No. 10 in the Social Development Index.

In the Macroeconomic Strength Index, however, Taiwan dropped from No. 3 to No. 5; it was also downgraded from No. 7 to No. 19 in the Commercial and Administrative Efficiency Index.

The report said the decline resulted from Taiwan’s traditional political bureaucracy and its complex administrative procedures.

Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea came in at No. 3, No. 4, and No. 5, respectively in this year’s report. Mainland China improved one place to reach No. 10.

The report was prepared by scholars from the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, the institute said.

Besides the 2012 Annual Asia Competitiveness Report, the institute also released separate reports on the world’s top 11 emerging economies and on the progress of economic consolidation in Asia. (HZW)

Write to Aaron Hsu at pj1210meister@mail.gio.gov.tw