marlon2006
09-14 12:30 PM
Growth could high, but economy is so small that would not necessarily make a lot of absolute difference. That said, sorry to tell you I heard that type of stories years ago when I landed in Canada in 1998. That's my personal opinion.
Good luck though.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/money/national/2006/09/14/imf-useconomy.html
Canadian economic growth to be best in G7 in 2007: IMF
Last Updated Thu, 14 Sep 2006 07:59:50 EDT
CBC News
Canada's economy is poised to grow by 3.0 per cent next year, giving it the fastest growth among the G7 countries, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday in its semi-annual World Economic Outlook.
Canada's status as a major net exporter of energy will likely be enough to insulate it from the slowdowns that the IMF is forecasting for the U.S. and Europe.
The biggest risks to the Canadian growth story next year include a "substantial" further rise in the Canadian dollar or a "sharper-than-expected" slowing of the U.S. economy, as more than 80 per cent of Canada's exports are to the U.S.
"The Canadian economy continues to perform robustly, benefiting from its strong macroeconomic policy framework and the boom in global commodity prices,'' the IMF said.
A cooling housing market is likely to trigger the slowdown in the U.S. economy next year and could weigh on the global economy as well, it said.
Growth in the United States, which was particularly strong in the first half of this year, is expected to slow from 3.4 per cent this year to 2.9 per cent in 2007, the IMF said. In April, it had projected U.S. growth next year would reach 3.3 per cent.
"The concern remains that a sharp adjustment in the housing sector would generate strong headwinds for the U.S. economy," it said.
IMF pegs China's economic growth at 10%
Citing strong growth in China, the IMF raised its global growth forecast a quarter of a percentage point to 5.1 per cent this year and 4.9 per cent in 2007. But it warned that inflationary pressures, high oil prices and a possible abrupt slowdown in the U.S. could undermine global growth.
"The balance of risks to the global outlook is slanted to the downside," said the report, released in Singapore, where the IMF and World Bank will be holding their annual meetings next week.
The Washington-based fund also suggested that further U.S. interest rate hikes might be necessary.
The U.S. Federal Reserve "faces a difficult situation of rising inflation in a slowing economy, but given the importance of keeping inflation expectations in check, some further policy tightening may still be needed," it said.
In August, the Fed decided to keep its key short-term lending rate at 5.25 per cent after 17 straight hikes back to June 2004.
The IMF said "there will be a premium on the Federal Reserve clearly communicating its policy intentions" and suggested that it state more explicitly its medium-term inflation targets.
It also said the U.S. could help reduce global imbalances by setting a more ambitious deficit reduction path and put the budget in a stronger position to respond to future economic downturns.
Japan, the world's second-largest economy, will likely grow 2.7 per cent this year on the back of solid domestic demand, but should ease next year to 2.1 per cent, the IMF said.
It also said Japan should be careful to raise interest rates gradually to avoid a "costly" re-emergence of deflation, or falling prices.
In the euro area, stronger corporate balance sheets have helped bring about increased investment, rising employment and a more balanced expansion to the 12 countries that use the common currency, the report said.
Growth would rise to 2.4 per cent in 2006 before moderating to two per cent in 2007 largely due to scheduled tax increases in Germany, the report said.
China's sizzling economy will probably steam ahead with 10 per cent growth this year and next, propelled by surging exports, but the region could be hurt if China's investment boom sours, it warned.
The IMF also urged Beijing to raise the value of its currency, the yuan, saying that would help to cut its huge global trade gap � on pace this year to surpass last year's $102 billion US � and bolster households' purchasing power.
Growth in India, emerging as Asia's other major engine, would moderate to a still robust 8.3 per cent this year and 7.3 per cent next year.
Latin American economies would continue to lag behind other emerging economies, although growth prospects have increased in the region, with expansion expected at 4.75 per cent this year and 4.25 per cent in 2007.
Inflation in advanced economies was likely to increase modestly to 2.6 per cent in 2006 but start to decline next year as the upward impetus from oil price increases eases. Emerging markets would probably also be able to contain inflation pressures, it said.
The IMF was established in 1945 to help promote the health of the world economy. It works to foster economic and financial stability, prevent crises and can aid countries in trouble.
With files from the Associated Press
Good luck though.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/money/national/2006/09/14/imf-useconomy.html
Canadian economic growth to be best in G7 in 2007: IMF
Last Updated Thu, 14 Sep 2006 07:59:50 EDT
CBC News
Canada's economy is poised to grow by 3.0 per cent next year, giving it the fastest growth among the G7 countries, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday in its semi-annual World Economic Outlook.
Canada's status as a major net exporter of energy will likely be enough to insulate it from the slowdowns that the IMF is forecasting for the U.S. and Europe.
The biggest risks to the Canadian growth story next year include a "substantial" further rise in the Canadian dollar or a "sharper-than-expected" slowing of the U.S. economy, as more than 80 per cent of Canada's exports are to the U.S.
"The Canadian economy continues to perform robustly, benefiting from its strong macroeconomic policy framework and the boom in global commodity prices,'' the IMF said.
A cooling housing market is likely to trigger the slowdown in the U.S. economy next year and could weigh on the global economy as well, it said.
Growth in the United States, which was particularly strong in the first half of this year, is expected to slow from 3.4 per cent this year to 2.9 per cent in 2007, the IMF said. In April, it had projected U.S. growth next year would reach 3.3 per cent.
"The concern remains that a sharp adjustment in the housing sector would generate strong headwinds for the U.S. economy," it said.
IMF pegs China's economic growth at 10%
Citing strong growth in China, the IMF raised its global growth forecast a quarter of a percentage point to 5.1 per cent this year and 4.9 per cent in 2007. But it warned that inflationary pressures, high oil prices and a possible abrupt slowdown in the U.S. could undermine global growth.
"The balance of risks to the global outlook is slanted to the downside," said the report, released in Singapore, where the IMF and World Bank will be holding their annual meetings next week.
The Washington-based fund also suggested that further U.S. interest rate hikes might be necessary.
The U.S. Federal Reserve "faces a difficult situation of rising inflation in a slowing economy, but given the importance of keeping inflation expectations in check, some further policy tightening may still be needed," it said.
In August, the Fed decided to keep its key short-term lending rate at 5.25 per cent after 17 straight hikes back to June 2004.
The IMF said "there will be a premium on the Federal Reserve clearly communicating its policy intentions" and suggested that it state more explicitly its medium-term inflation targets.
It also said the U.S. could help reduce global imbalances by setting a more ambitious deficit reduction path and put the budget in a stronger position to respond to future economic downturns.
Japan, the world's second-largest economy, will likely grow 2.7 per cent this year on the back of solid domestic demand, but should ease next year to 2.1 per cent, the IMF said.
It also said Japan should be careful to raise interest rates gradually to avoid a "costly" re-emergence of deflation, or falling prices.
In the euro area, stronger corporate balance sheets have helped bring about increased investment, rising employment and a more balanced expansion to the 12 countries that use the common currency, the report said.
Growth would rise to 2.4 per cent in 2006 before moderating to two per cent in 2007 largely due to scheduled tax increases in Germany, the report said.
China's sizzling economy will probably steam ahead with 10 per cent growth this year and next, propelled by surging exports, but the region could be hurt if China's investment boom sours, it warned.
The IMF also urged Beijing to raise the value of its currency, the yuan, saying that would help to cut its huge global trade gap � on pace this year to surpass last year's $102 billion US � and bolster households' purchasing power.
Growth in India, emerging as Asia's other major engine, would moderate to a still robust 8.3 per cent this year and 7.3 per cent next year.
Latin American economies would continue to lag behind other emerging economies, although growth prospects have increased in the region, with expansion expected at 4.75 per cent this year and 4.25 per cent in 2007.
Inflation in advanced economies was likely to increase modestly to 2.6 per cent in 2006 but start to decline next year as the upward impetus from oil price increases eases. Emerging markets would probably also be able to contain inflation pressures, it said.
The IMF was established in 1945 to help promote the health of the world economy. It works to foster economic and financial stability, prevent crises and can aid countries in trouble.
With files from the Associated Press
wallpaper Images Journeyman
reverendflash
10-21 02:22 AM
in a round about way, I'm a deadhead went to 23 shows in 16 months, backstage for 19 of them, kinda hard not to be at that point...
::crosses legs, goes into meditative state::
and yes, that was my first attempt at freehand drawing (albeit on sugar), and when I had my artistic epiphany... :P
Rev:elderly:
::crosses legs, goes into meditative state::
and yes, that was my first attempt at freehand drawing (albeit on sugar), and when I had my artistic epiphany... :P
Rev:elderly:
babuworld
02-08 11:11 AM
Hi,
I filed it for my wife. Please follow the following steps
1. https://efiling.uscis.dhs.gov/efile/ Register your by clicking on new user
2.After Registering it will ask you to select with forms you want to file online.
3. Select I-765 (EAD) file . Make sure you have the following information with you Passport number,Current I-94, DOB, A# number etc, H1B or H4 info ready.
4. Once you fill the form , it will ask for credit card information.
5. Once you submit the form . it will automatically generate LIN number for you.
6. Please Post that form to TSC or NSC what ever center you belong.
NOTE: Please do not post any other document unless asked by USCIS.
7. You will get Recipt number in One week also you will get Figure Print Notice the following week.
Hope this information will help you alot.
I did efiling for Myself and we got Receipt Notice is one week. Figure Print in next week and EAD in 11 weeks.
Good Luck!
Thanks,
babuworld.
I filed it for my wife. Please follow the following steps
1. https://efiling.uscis.dhs.gov/efile/ Register your by clicking on new user
2.After Registering it will ask you to select with forms you want to file online.
3. Select I-765 (EAD) file . Make sure you have the following information with you Passport number,Current I-94, DOB, A# number etc, H1B or H4 info ready.
4. Once you fill the form , it will ask for credit card information.
5. Once you submit the form . it will automatically generate LIN number for you.
6. Please Post that form to TSC or NSC what ever center you belong.
NOTE: Please do not post any other document unless asked by USCIS.
7. You will get Recipt number in One week also you will get Figure Print Notice the following week.
Hope this information will help you alot.
I did efiling for Myself and we got Receipt Notice is one week. Figure Print in next week and EAD in 11 weeks.
Good Luck!
Thanks,
babuworld.
2011 plumber
chanduv23
12-08 11:32 PM
Come on fellow IVans
Just CONTRIBUTE CONTRIBUTE CONTRIBUTE
Just CONTRIBUTE CONTRIBUTE CONTRIBUTE
more...
anand3597
12-13 05:56 PM
Hello,
We (my wife and I) got our CPO emails on Dec. 1st. In the US since 1997. Hopefully the details below will help you:
1. Called Nebraska service center weekly for last ~2 months to check progress of I485
2. EB3 (Aug. 19, 2004) to EB2 PD porting request sent in Mar. 2009
3. Oct. 2009- was told that I485 review will need to wait till EB2 I140 approval notice is transferred from National visa center to Nebraska center.
4. Nov. 2009- sent letters to senator and congressman requesting assitance.
5. Nov. 20- soft LUD
6. Dec. 1- text message and CPO emails
7. Dec. 7- received green cards in mail
I think the POJ calling method helped us the most in identifying why the PD porting request had not been approved and move the process ahead.
regards,
anand3597
donated to IV
We (my wife and I) got our CPO emails on Dec. 1st. In the US since 1997. Hopefully the details below will help you:
1. Called Nebraska service center weekly for last ~2 months to check progress of I485
2. EB3 (Aug. 19, 2004) to EB2 PD porting request sent in Mar. 2009
3. Oct. 2009- was told that I485 review will need to wait till EB2 I140 approval notice is transferred from National visa center to Nebraska center.
4. Nov. 2009- sent letters to senator and congressman requesting assitance.
5. Nov. 20- soft LUD
6. Dec. 1- text message and CPO emails
7. Dec. 7- received green cards in mail
I think the POJ calling method helped us the most in identifying why the PD porting request had not been approved and move the process ahead.
regards,
anand3597
donated to IV
GetGC08
07-30 06:29 PM
Hello,
I just received RFE for I-140.
I-140 Details:
I have applied I-140 under EB2 India.
I have BS(3 years) with computer science & MCA(MS 3 years) in computer science. So total 6 years of education in computer science(3 yrs BS + 3 yrs MS).
Also I have 1.5 years(18 months) of experience after completing my MS. I have submitted my experience letter at the time of filling labor But USCIS didn't ask anything regarding experience.
In labor(PERM) we mentioned Masters required
& Major field of study is Computers.
Do I qualify for EB2?? Plz let me know.
RFE details:
1) Degree evaluation(what's the procedure?)
&
2) They want most recent W2 for 2007.
In 2007(W2) I got paid $59K(gross) & in LCA(H1B) prevailing wage mentioned is $55k.
In labor(PERM) prevailing wage mentioned is $63K & offered wage mentioned is $65K.
Difference between W2 & Prevailing wage in labor(PERM) is $4000($63K - $59K).
Difference between W2 & Offered wage in labor(PERM) is $6000($65K - $59K).
Is this a serious problem???
My labor already got approved.
My company is financially very good.
Now which wage USCIS consider or match with W2??
I will really appreciate your response.
Thanks.
I just received RFE for I-140.
I-140 Details:
I have applied I-140 under EB2 India.
I have BS(3 years) with computer science & MCA(MS 3 years) in computer science. So total 6 years of education in computer science(3 yrs BS + 3 yrs MS).
Also I have 1.5 years(18 months) of experience after completing my MS. I have submitted my experience letter at the time of filling labor But USCIS didn't ask anything regarding experience.
In labor(PERM) we mentioned Masters required
& Major field of study is Computers.
Do I qualify for EB2?? Plz let me know.
RFE details:
1) Degree evaluation(what's the procedure?)
&
2) They want most recent W2 for 2007.
In 2007(W2) I got paid $59K(gross) & in LCA(H1B) prevailing wage mentioned is $55k.
In labor(PERM) prevailing wage mentioned is $63K & offered wage mentioned is $65K.
Difference between W2 & Prevailing wage in labor(PERM) is $4000($63K - $59K).
Difference between W2 & Offered wage in labor(PERM) is $6000($65K - $59K).
Is this a serious problem???
My labor already got approved.
My company is financially very good.
Now which wage USCIS consider or match with W2??
I will really appreciate your response.
Thanks.
more...
yabadaba
06-28 03:13 PM
^^^
2010 Journeyman Plumber Wanted
minimalist
10-08 02:25 PM
Did you take original 485 receipt with you?
I went to the Arlington DMV today. They took copies of my I-485 and EAD. They said they will send a letter to my home in 7 to 10 days, if I'm eligible for a drivers license. I went a month back when I didn't have the EAD with me and they did not even accept my documents for faxing it to Richmond. Man...its getting crazier everyday.
Please post back your experience here. Thanks for starting the thread.
I went to the Arlington DMV today. They took copies of my I-485 and EAD. They said they will send a letter to my home in 7 to 10 days, if I'm eligible for a drivers license. I went a month back when I didn't have the EAD with me and they did not even accept my documents for faxing it to Richmond. Man...its getting crazier everyday.
Please post back your experience here. Thanks for starting the thread.
more...
yagw
07-11 06:35 PM
Beware...read this:
http://www.usimmigration.net/images/7-8-08_Debarment_of_a_Software_Co_from_PERM_filings_fo r_3_yrs.pdf
Just an FYI, this company is the one that develops SW to help attorneys in filing the PERM. Looks like they used the USCIS website as a testing place for their SW and hence the debarment. Should not be a problem for most of the companies (wonder any?) out there.
From the announcement:
"..
LawLogix submitted more than 100 applications
using the permanent program�s online filing system in the last year, apparently for the
sole purpose of testing the parameters of the department�s electronic processing system.
...
"
http://www.usimmigration.net/images/7-8-08_Debarment_of_a_Software_Co_from_PERM_filings_fo r_3_yrs.pdf
Just an FYI, this company is the one that develops SW to help attorneys in filing the PERM. Looks like they used the USCIS website as a testing place for their SW and hence the debarment. Should not be a problem for most of the companies (wonder any?) out there.
From the announcement:
"..
LawLogix submitted more than 100 applications
using the permanent program�s online filing system in the last year, apparently for the
sole purpose of testing the parameters of the department�s electronic processing system.
...
"
hair Average Journeyman Plumber
jonty_11
09-17 04:49 PM
there was a thread before which I am unable to find..abt a guy who was told that Ap is only for emergency travel...someone had quoted a law from INS taht said otherwise...I want to keep a copy of the law handy in case I find an eccentric IO at POE...
Anyone has a link to that legislation..?
Anyone has a link to that legislation..?
more...
cat555
07-08 11:14 PM
One bad day, my employer just realized that I was overpaid $8000 over 2 years. When I was with the company, I was told it was accountant mistake and I don't have to pay anything. It was all verbal so I don't have any witness.
After 2 months, I quit with 2 weeks notice.
Now he wants $8000 back or he won't pay my last 2 weeks.
I am on EAD and don't know what to do?
Can anybody advice?
After 2 months, I quit with 2 weeks notice.
Now he wants $8000 back or he won't pay my last 2 weeks.
I am on EAD and don't know what to do?
Can anybody advice?
hot Journeyman Plumber/Gasfitter
villamonte6100
06-27 09:48 AM
I have I140 approval notice, Where can I see the A#?
It should appear on your I140 approval under the Beneficiary. Under your name, the A# should appear there.
Even my lawyer could not remember where my A# came from and I pointed it out to her.
Some people say, they didn't get it. I'm not really sure.
Please check your I140 approval.
It should appear on your I140 approval under the Beneficiary. Under your name, the A# should appear there.
Even my lawyer could not remember where my A# came from and I pointed it out to her.
Some people say, they didn't get it. I'm not really sure.
Please check your I140 approval.
more...
house Average Master Tradesman Journeyman Plumber salaries for job postings in
chanduv23
06-28 02:46 PM
I have an important question that I need to ask here. What is going to be Job title in employment verification letter. For example if I work in company as a Software consultant and H1B states that I am Programmer Analysts and my PERM labor has stated Software Programmer Engineer.
So out of these 3 which one will going to be in my employment letter. I am unable to get in touch with attorney thru company and our HR doesnt know what to write in Employement letter. Any advise from people who already got their employement letter from their employer.
Thanks
INeedAllGreen
Use your PERM labor one - thats the safest, I have used that - Attorney signed off saying that is right
So out of these 3 which one will going to be in my employment letter. I am unable to get in touch with attorney thru company and our HR doesnt know what to write in Employement letter. Any advise from people who already got their employement letter from their employer.
Thanks
INeedAllGreen
Use your PERM labor one - thats the safest, I have used that - Attorney signed off saying that is right
tattoo journeyman plumber.
panky72
09-17 05:09 PM
there was a thread before which I am unable to find..abt a guy who was told that Ap is only for emergency travel...someone had quoted a law from INS taht said otherwise...I want to keep a copy of the law handy in case I find an eccentric IO at POE...
Anyone has a link to that legislation..?
its probably this thread
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21334
Anyone has a link to that legislation..?
its probably this thread
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21334
more...
pictures Average Journeyman Plumber
acecupid
07-06 11:48 AM
Please let me know whether it is possible for a person with valid H1B pettion with expired visa stamping can use the AP at POE to enter the US.
Thanks.
Yes, very much possible.
Thanks.
Yes, very much possible.
dresses journeyman plumber and
Hey Ram GC
04-08 11:45 AM
webm: what is the status of your application ( 485), is your NC, SC or fingurprints all clear. Did you speak to any IO about any update on your case as your PD is current ( 01 Oct).
more...
makeup Journeyman Plumber-iraq
vasired
08-15 03:14 PM
485 RD:6/29
485 ND:7/25
FP ND: 8/8
FP Date:9/4
485 ND:7/25
FP ND: 8/8
FP Date:9/4
girlfriend by the Master Plumbers,
geve
09-22 11:58 AM
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/sep2008/tc20080915_270731.htm
There's no place like the U.S. when it comes to creating a thriving tech sector. Or is there? The U.S. still has the world's most competitive information technology industry, but its lead is slipping, according to a new study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
The study, released Sept. 16, ranks 66 countries in six areas, including the availability of skilled labor, the "innovation friendliness" of a nation's culture, and the strength of its legal protections for intellectual property. The U.S. scored highest overall, but its rating fell from last year, and it was No. 1 in only three of the categories. "America should be proud that it's No. 1, but Americans should also be aware that it can no longer take its leadership for granted," says Robert Holleyman, president and CEO of the BSA, a Washington (D.C.)-based organization that promotes the interests of the software industry.
The EIU's analysis also weighed the quality of a nation's technology infrastructure, measuring the number of PCs per 100 people, market spending on IT hardware per 100 people, the availability of secure Internet servers per 100,000 people, and the percentage of the population with high-speed Internet access. Switzerland, ranked 11th overall, outscored the U.S. on IT infrastructure, which accounted for 20% of a country's score. The study also assessed the openness of a country's economy and the quality of government leadership on technology issues.
No. 5 in R&D Support
In a finding that's likely to vex would-be entrepreneurs, the U.S. scores even further down the list�No. 5�in support for R&D. Taiwan led the category, followed by South Korea, Japan, and Sweden. Here, the EIU scored countries based on the number of new IT-related patents, receipts from royalty payments and licensing fees, and public and private spending on R&D. Holleyman says the BSA plans to share its findings with both major Presidential campaigns and with members of Congress.
The U.S. also lags countries including Canada, Singapore, Britain, and Norway in support for IT development, which accounted for 15% of the overall score. This category covers such things as e-government initiatives, government spending on IT hardware, and access to financing.
The findings of the study will likely renew calls among both IT industry executives and politicians for the country to develop a national innovation strategy as countries such as Finland have done. "America needs a wake-up call," says John Kao, a former professor at Harvard Business School and author of Innovation Nation, a book arguing that the U.S. is losing its edge. "We don't really have a national strategy," he says. "And while I'm not a fan of top-down technocratic approach, I think that at this point in our history, having no strategy is not satisfactory."
Sounding the Alarm
As concerned as he is about U.S. competitiveness, Kao is not a favor of indexes that compare competitiveness among nations, saying they can misrepresent a country's true climate. "They're really abstractions of reality, and they often paint too rosy a picture," he says.
Kao isn't alone in calling the country's competitiveness into question. Judy Estrin, a former Cisco Systems (CSCO) executive, is sounding the alarm as well in a new book, Closing the Innovation Gap, published by BusinessWeek's parent, The McGraw-Hill Cos. (MHP). Estrin says that the lead America enjoys now is the result of work done decades ago, and that the same commitment to innovation and research that existed before has evaporated. "Innovation builds on innovation. We're reaping the benefits now of seeds planted 10, 20, and 30 years ago, and the problem is that we're not planting any more seeds," she says.
The study shows the U.S. still leads the world in the "human capital" category, which measures the number of students attending universities, a country's capacity to train scientists and engineers, and employment in the tech sector as a percentage of the overall workforce. Here too, though, the U.S. lead is threatened. While students from other countries still flock to U.S. universities to get their MBAs and PhDs, tight immigration policies are causing more of those students to go home after graduation. "Our own education system is not producing the innovators we need," Estrin says. "And we're not opening our doors to the best people, and our immigration policy is such that we have been making it harder for them to stay, and so they are going home and innovating elsewhere."
By highlighting vulnerabilities, the study doesn't just trumpet U.S. weaknesses; it points to areas where improvements can be made. "A strong tech industry is crucial to America's ability to address almost every economic and social challenge," Holleyman says in a statement. "Despite our current economic difficulties, the tech sector remains one of the primary engines of the U.S. economy. This index provides a guide to how we can keep that engine moving forward to ensure competitiveness in the future."
There's no place like the U.S. when it comes to creating a thriving tech sector. Or is there? The U.S. still has the world's most competitive information technology industry, but its lead is slipping, according to a new study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) for the Business Software Alliance (BSA).
The study, released Sept. 16, ranks 66 countries in six areas, including the availability of skilled labor, the "innovation friendliness" of a nation's culture, and the strength of its legal protections for intellectual property. The U.S. scored highest overall, but its rating fell from last year, and it was No. 1 in only three of the categories. "America should be proud that it's No. 1, but Americans should also be aware that it can no longer take its leadership for granted," says Robert Holleyman, president and CEO of the BSA, a Washington (D.C.)-based organization that promotes the interests of the software industry.
The EIU's analysis also weighed the quality of a nation's technology infrastructure, measuring the number of PCs per 100 people, market spending on IT hardware per 100 people, the availability of secure Internet servers per 100,000 people, and the percentage of the population with high-speed Internet access. Switzerland, ranked 11th overall, outscored the U.S. on IT infrastructure, which accounted for 20% of a country's score. The study also assessed the openness of a country's economy and the quality of government leadership on technology issues.
No. 5 in R&D Support
In a finding that's likely to vex would-be entrepreneurs, the U.S. scores even further down the list�No. 5�in support for R&D. Taiwan led the category, followed by South Korea, Japan, and Sweden. Here, the EIU scored countries based on the number of new IT-related patents, receipts from royalty payments and licensing fees, and public and private spending on R&D. Holleyman says the BSA plans to share its findings with both major Presidential campaigns and with members of Congress.
The U.S. also lags countries including Canada, Singapore, Britain, and Norway in support for IT development, which accounted for 15% of the overall score. This category covers such things as e-government initiatives, government spending on IT hardware, and access to financing.
The findings of the study will likely renew calls among both IT industry executives and politicians for the country to develop a national innovation strategy as countries such as Finland have done. "America needs a wake-up call," says John Kao, a former professor at Harvard Business School and author of Innovation Nation, a book arguing that the U.S. is losing its edge. "We don't really have a national strategy," he says. "And while I'm not a fan of top-down technocratic approach, I think that at this point in our history, having no strategy is not satisfactory."
Sounding the Alarm
As concerned as he is about U.S. competitiveness, Kao is not a favor of indexes that compare competitiveness among nations, saying they can misrepresent a country's true climate. "They're really abstractions of reality, and they often paint too rosy a picture," he says.
Kao isn't alone in calling the country's competitiveness into question. Judy Estrin, a former Cisco Systems (CSCO) executive, is sounding the alarm as well in a new book, Closing the Innovation Gap, published by BusinessWeek's parent, The McGraw-Hill Cos. (MHP). Estrin says that the lead America enjoys now is the result of work done decades ago, and that the same commitment to innovation and research that existed before has evaporated. "Innovation builds on innovation. We're reaping the benefits now of seeds planted 10, 20, and 30 years ago, and the problem is that we're not planting any more seeds," she says.
The study shows the U.S. still leads the world in the "human capital" category, which measures the number of students attending universities, a country's capacity to train scientists and engineers, and employment in the tech sector as a percentage of the overall workforce. Here too, though, the U.S. lead is threatened. While students from other countries still flock to U.S. universities to get their MBAs and PhDs, tight immigration policies are causing more of those students to go home after graduation. "Our own education system is not producing the innovators we need," Estrin says. "And we're not opening our doors to the best people, and our immigration policy is such that we have been making it harder for them to stay, and so they are going home and innovating elsewhere."
By highlighting vulnerabilities, the study doesn't just trumpet U.S. weaknesses; it points to areas where improvements can be made. "A strong tech industry is crucial to America's ability to address almost every economic and social challenge," Holleyman says in a statement. "Despite our current economic difficulties, the tech sector remains one of the primary engines of the U.S. economy. This index provides a guide to how we can keep that engine moving forward to ensure competitiveness in the future."
hairstyles a Journeyman Plumber.
njboy
07-26 11:18 AM
last i heard, ins was planning to introduce a rule saying - if i140 is not filed within 45 days of labor approval, it was going to be voided. Many people opposed this idea..but at the same time, it had its benefits because, people file labor and then sell it many years later. this rule was meant to prevent these kind of shady substitutions.
matrixneo
08-01 01:05 PM
here is one in praise of USCIS, replace Anamika and naari with USCIS
YouTube - Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si Palkon Peh FT.Sanjeev Kumar & Jaya Bhaduri (Kishore Kumar) Hindi Sad Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiM2-e5FnLQ)
YouTube - Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si Palkon Peh FT.Sanjeev Kumar & Jaya Bhaduri (Kishore Kumar) Hindi Sad Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiM2-e5FnLQ)
Guest007
02-12 02:07 PM
I was in same boat. And apparently there is nothing like I-94 extension according to my lawyer. So after your passport comes.. You go out of the country and come back for a new I-94. Or you apply for visa renewal. I had to apply for h1 extension anyway within 5 mos. So I applied for renewal. Hope this helps.
I have my visa valid till Dec 2008. But PP Expires on July 1st 2007. when I was entering US on Dec 30th 2007, They gave me I94 valid till july 1st 2007. So I have to extend my I94 once I will get my new passport for which i have already applied in Chicago. Does any one know, how many days it takes for passport renewal? I had sent my passport to chicago Indian consulate on jan 10th and still waiting.
I have my visa valid till Dec 2008. But PP Expires on July 1st 2007. when I was entering US on Dec 30th 2007, They gave me I94 valid till july 1st 2007. So I have to extend my I94 once I will get my new passport for which i have already applied in Chicago. Does any one know, how many days it takes for passport renewal? I had sent my passport to chicago Indian consulate on jan 10th and still waiting.
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