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5:42 pm | 0 recommendations | 6 comments

Fast Countries?

| posted by Heath Row

Not long ago, we published a package on fast cities, 15 up-and-coming hubs for creative workers. We also took a look at urban areas outside of the United States to see who's competing for American talent.

Today's New York Times adds one not included in that list. But it's not a city. It's a country. That country? Estonia. Anchor companies such as Skype and Playtech are testing the limits of Estonia's traditional business community and legal structure -- and attracting a new generation of global business and technology leaders.

It's an interesting article -- part Skype profile and part feature on the broader business environment in which it operates -- and one that begs the question: What other countries might be the new slumbering giants? Estonia wasn't on my radar a year or two ago.

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Recent Comments | 6 Total

December 13, 2005 at 9:34pm

Clarence Fisher

Five years ago I had a friend who was a teacher living in Estonia. He commented at the time that the entire nation was in an uproar about technology and making certain that kids would have the skills they need to survive in the global world. He said the locals were ready to rename the country e - stonia.

December 13, 2005 at 10:10pm

Dimitar Vesselinov

Poland, Romania and Bulgaria.

"How the young knowledge workers of Central Europe are pushing the region to a new level."
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_50/b3963021.htm

December 13, 2005 at 11:01pm

John Smoon

I agree with Poland, Bulgaria and you could put a few other former east-block countries in there. But forget Romania. It's got massive poverty and social problems not nearly as likely as other countries to have a tech boom.

December 14, 2005 at 3:09am

Onur Turk

With 9,9% growth last year and estimated 7.5% this year, and witdh steady growth for 15 quarters, Turkey should also be on the list.

World's largest companies(like GE, Vodafone) invested billions of dollars this year, believing that Turkish economy will be one of the top 10 market in the world.

Also the negotiations for accession for EU has started, which is expected to result by 2015.

December 14, 2005 at 3:50am

LIviu Irinescu

Forget Romania? Please.... Check out the Brainbench 2005 Global Skills Report and see that Romania ranks 3 after US and India on IT.
I agree that lack of capital may be a problem, but there are already some local success stories and the affluence of IT brain power will prevail ..

December 14, 2005 at 10:51am

mahendrakumardash

Number of fast cities are growing first.To put IT as an yardstick is just a misnomer.There are other areas which are developing fast.Urban Develeopment.effort o enhance the quality of living of people so that they get prapared for the future,all are developing at a fast pace.(My views are on youngsters).Governments and people who were slightly averse to the fast change and now reconciling to the fact,may it be China,may it by India or any other country.

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