Building a national competitiveness program

This paper examines the influence of competitiveness councils on the microeconomic business environment. The paper explores how the structure and composition of such councils can influence their performance in improving the national business climate. Evidence comes from the experience competitiveness councils in two small European countries, Ireland and Croatia, and in the five countries of Central America. The paper presents conclusions and recommendations based upon CLACDS documents and the author's field research over a 2 year period.