Announcing this, US Senator Phil Gramm told media persons on Wednesday that in a global economy, ability to compete is more important than the nationality of skilled workers.

Last year, Gramm secured passage of a legislation which allowed number of immigrated skilled foreign workers to be raised to 115,000 a year from 65,000. However, after three years the number was to again revert to 65,000.

But as permitted immigrations of skilled workers have already taken place in the first five months of this year itself, Gramm wants to raise the number to 200,000 a year permanently.