DUBAI: Saudi Arabia improved by 16 places its information and communications technology adoption (ICT) pillar for the Global Competitiveness Index 2019, state news agency SPA reported on Wednesday. The Kingdom now ranks 38, from 54th place during last year’s index reading, owing to the spread of broadband technology and improvements in the country’s digital infrastructure. Saudi Arabia also placed third among G20 countries, and 11th globally, in terms of IT governance which rates a country’s ability to adapt digital technologies such as e-commerce and financial technology. The annual Global Competitiveness Report, issued by the World Economic Forum, measures the strength of 141 countries through 103 key indicators – lumped in 12 index pillars – such as inflation, digital skills and trade tariffs. The competitiveness developments signify the Saudi leadership’s support for the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and their drive to fulfil the goals of Vision 2030, the Minister of Communications and IT Abdullah Al-Swaha said.