February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The United States, meanwhile, finished 11th, one spot higher than in the previous report.
The “Globalization Index” for 2002, released yesterday, measures 62 countries on factors such as trade and investment links to the rest of the world.
Ireland topped the list “in part because it was one of a handful of countries to avoid the slowdown in global trade and capital flows,” the report said.
Ireland attracted $91 billion in foreign capital, up $11 billion from 2001 and nearly $30 billion more than neighboring Britain, which ranked ninth.
Switzerland finished second, holding its position from 2001 and “buoyed by a strong reputation as an international financial center and income payments from investments overseas,” the report said.
Saudi Arabia suffered the most dramatic decline, falling to 61st from 37th in 2001, mainly because of declining oil prices and the political fallout from the war on terrorism, the report said.
More details are available at www.foreignpolicy.com and www.atkearneycom.