Abstract:
The aim of this study is to explore the readiness of Sudanese economy to be a
knowledge-based economy, and to determine the basic knowledge economic factors
for achieving sustainable development in Sudan. The study has been carried out using
the benchmarking process depending on the Knowledge Assessment
Methodology(KAM) indicators adopted by the World Bank, which used the following
indicators: innovation, research and development; education; infrastructure based on
Information and communication technology (ICT); economic incentives; and regime
(governance). Sudan has been compared with the Arab Countries from the Lower
Middle Economies which include (Algeria, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Yemen and
Mauritania) using recent data. The study revealed a very low level of readiness in
Sudan economy compared to those countries as far as the key knowledge economy
indicators are concerned.
Keywords:Knowledge economy; Benchmarking; Knowledge economy index;
Knowledge economy indicators (pillars), ICT.
INTRODUCTION:
The world economies are experiencing a great transformation from traditional
economies (where factors of production include land, capital, and labor) to knowledge
based economies (where knowledge is the key factor of production). Knowledge
becomes the main tool of economic development in all over the world economies.
Factors of knowledge includes items as how people use their education and skills;
innovation; entrepreneurship; training support; communication and information
technologies; and research and development.