Insight 4: The Impact of the Economic Crisis on ICTs and their Role in Recovery The global economic crisis has intensifi ed pres-sure money “strategically” to create jobs now and for the future or spend their money as they have tradition-ally on governments around the world to develop stimulus programs that will result in creating jobs and create revenue. In response to this pressure, some countries are focusing almost exclusively on traditional industries such as manufacturing, textiles and automotives and may be overlooking the impact from investments in the growing ICT sector. spent it. A few countries like China, Australia, Portugal, Turkey, India, Brazil, US and others have chosen to spend their stimulus dollars to enhance their education systems, build out broadband and re-duce VAT on technology products. In other words, they are spending “strategically” to increase their economies for today and tomorrow. ICT investments can positively impact jobs, produc-tivity, Virtually all countries have some type of ICT infra-structure; revenue growth and innovation. A few specifi c therefore, going forward countries should effects of investments in the ICT infrastructure may include the creation of high-skilled, high-paying jobs, stronger, more competitive businesses and improved international competitiveness. In the US, a 7% increase in broadband adoption could poten-tially focus on spending in strategic areas: • Manufacturing: 3D simulations to build, test and prototype products; • Construction: 3D simulations to model and result in a projected 2.4 million annual increase build energy-effi cient buildings; in jobs in the US, with a US$ 134 billion economic impact per year (Connected Nation report 2008). • Transportation: Railroads with high-tech control centers and smart railcars; There are over 50 countries with stimulus pro-grammes with an estimated total spending of over • Energy: “Smart” grids for business buildings US$ 3 trillion. Countries can choose to spend their and homes to monitor and adjust usage; 27