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Overview l First phase l Second phase
Related publications l Related meetings l Contact
A European Commission-funded Sector Competitiveness Project is one of several implementation support projects of the Investment Compact for South East Europe, and examines the potential sources of and obstacles to competitiveness in the Western Balkans.
The project analyses specific sectors with significant employment potential, such as:
- garment manufacturing
- automotive components, and
- information and communication technology
The working groups of the Investment Compact for South East Europe bring together policy experts from the region and the OECD to addressing sector specific competitiveness challenges, and making specific recommendations for policy measures addressing these challenges.
With the 10 June 2009 publication of its study entitled Sector Specific Sources of Competitiveness in the Western Balkans: Recommendation for a Regional Investment Strategy, the Investment Compact for South East Europe completed the first phase of the Sector Competitiveness Project.
Some recommendations include:
- addressing gaps in human capital
- increasing links between research and business communities, and
- developing value-added services and innovation
The second phase of the Sector Competitiveness Project focuses on implementation of co-ordinated initiatives for each sector as part of a regional investment strategy. The Investment Compact for South East Europe is conducting several missions to beneficiary countries to this end.
The main objectives of the second phase are:
- in the garment sector: contribute to finding solutions to obtaining accessible and affordable finance
- in the automotive component sector: identify and help bridge the information gap between parts suppliers in the Western Balkans and original equipment manufacturers
- in the information and communication technology sector: develop initiatives to increase linkages between the education system and the private sector regarding business process and technology outsourcing
Barriers to a regional sector specific investment strategy have been identified, and implementation priorities developed.
The working groups are elaborating concrete action plans, structured around each sector.
The publication Sector Specific Sources of Competitiveness in the Western Balkans (free read-only PDF version) summarises the key findings and recommendations from the completed first phase of the Sector Competitiveness Project.
Media advisory for Sector Specific Sources of Competitiveness in the Western Balkans
Developing and promoting the automotive industry in the Western Balkans, 19 June 2009
Improving skills for the ICT sector in the Western Balkans, 17 September 2009
For further information, please contact Anthony O'Sullivan, Head of the Private Sector Development Division, at anthony.osullivan@oecd.org or Andrea Beltramello, Policy Analyst, at andrea.beltramello@oecd.org.
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