CAIRO: Egypt has been ranked 11th in attracting foreign investments, according to "The Global Talent Index, a new 30-country survey conducted by a leading executive research firm, Heidrick & Struggles, and the Economist Intelligence Unit. The study predicts that Egypt will move from 11th to seventh position between 2007 and 2012 in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) index, to be ranked among the top ten countries after Holland, Sweden, Britain, Malaysia, South Africa and Canada. The Global Talent Index pointed out that Egypt is number 25 out of 30 top countries possessing talents and competencies in information and communications technology personnel, especially those working on Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). Egypt is expected to rank 24 by 2012. The Global Talent Index is the first survey of its kind. Countries were chosen based on a representative geographic spread and the quality of available comparative data. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran were selected from the region. Seven separate measures were used to assess each country: demographics, quality of compulsory education, quality of universities and business schools, quality of the environment to nurture talent, mobility and relative openness of the labor market, trends in foreign direct investment, and propensity to attract talent. Founded in 1946, the Economist Intelligence Unit is the world's foremost provider of country, industry and management analysis. It provides a constant flow of analysis and forecasts more than 200 countries and eight key industries. Founded in 1953, Heidrick & Struggles is one of the top five global search firms. With 61 offices in the principal cities of 32 countries, it helps clients address strategic issues that require human capital solutions. The firm has a 10-year relationship with the Middle East based on a combination of global reach and local knowledge. Its experienced consultancy team serves the region and recently opened offices in Dubai and Beirut.
