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UK at risk in competition stakes     According to Trading Places, a Deloitte report published last month, the UK is ranked sixth amongst 25 world economies as the most competitive place in the world to do business, but this position is projected to slide to 12th if Government and business don’t take action now.    The Deloitte Competitiveness Index (DCI) is a new ranking based on key drivers of wealth creation – innovation, enterprise, investment and macroeconomic data. The report includes a survey     of 300 UK business leaders who provide their perspective on the UK’s business environment today as well as predictions for the future.    Currently, the index ranks the UK among the top five countries when measured on macroeconomic stability and enterprise, however on skills, innovation and tax/regulation, the UK is significantly lower in the rankings. The index also provides future predictions assuming a continuation of trends and this is where the UK faces     challenges, potentially dropping out of the top 10 by 2010.    Deloitte partner David Owen said: “The UK is at a critical point in its evolution as a centre for global business and its challenge is to turn accelerating globalisation into competitive advantage. Business leaders will need to ensure that the opportunities of a global market are taken, whether it is through reshaping business processes or building capabilities to evaluate constantly their network     operations globally.    “For its part Government must concentrate on further policy reforms to ensure they remain in line with the world’s best practices.”    Further report analysis shows that the US is at the top of the league table with a strong performance across all sectors. It invests 3.2% of its GDP in R&D, giving it a particular strength in this area. Nordic countries Sweden, Finland and Denmark followed closely with strength in innovation     and investment, while Germany’s ranking at fifth was due to its strong innovation base, enterprise and investment environment.    In emerging countries, South Korea is the front runner: it is ranked at 13, followed by India at 22 and China at 24. These countries are all expected to climb the ladder creating a tougher trading environment for continental Europe.

Atos Origin grows revenue in third quarter     Atos Origin said unaudited revenues for the three months ended 30 September 2005 amounted to EUR 1,293m, representing a 9.4% increase on a constant scope and exchange rate basis.    Group revenues for the seasonally low-key third quarter ended 30 September 2005 were EUR 1,293m, compared with EUR 1,253m for the equivalent period last year.        Atos Origin has adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) with effect from 1 January 2005. The comparative pro forma revenues of the combined Group in Q3 2004 were EUR 1,242m and on that basis the 2005 figures were 4.1% higher. After adjusting for business disposals during the past 12 months and at constant exchange rates, Atos achieved organic growth     of 9.4%. This is the fifth quarter-on-quarter increase in succession.    The three main service lines each recorded strong growth compared with the same quarter last year. In consulting there was a 12.2% organic revenue increase in the third quarter.    Revenues in systems integration were 8.6% higher organically in the third quarter, which extends the upward trend     seen in the second half of 2004 and in 2005 to date. The growth in Q3 was mainly due to better volumes and at the same time the Group has increased the amount of recurring revenues in this segment from application life cycle management contracts.    Organic revenue growth in managed operations was 9.7%, reflecting the steady inflow of orders that has accumulated during     the past year, including the extended partnership with Euronext.Liffe since July.    Atos Origin expects organic growth in 2005 to be slightly below 8%, with an operating margin slightly higher than 7.5%. The company remains confident of achieving the EUR 200m net debt target by the end of December 2005.

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