Competitiveness strategies for small states

Abstract

This book is the outcome of a collaborative project between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the University of Malta. The project involved a consultative process for the drawing up of a competitiveness strategy for Malta, leading to a national conference on the same theme, and the publication of two books. The first book has already been published and is entitled 'Maximising Malta's Competitiveness Potential'. It describes the consultative process which was undertaken during the first half of 2003 to derive a coherent overarching strategy aimed at enhancing Malta's national competitiveness and puts forward a number of proposals for its implementation.

This second volume is based on the competitiveness experiences of a selection of a selection of small states and draws on the expertise of authors from small states around the world. A cursory look at the content page will show that the book, though focused on competitiveness, covers a wide variety of of themes, including the need for a sound macroeconomic framework and appropriate institutional set-ups. Some of the chapters relate to international trade negotiations and make a case for granting special treatment to small states. Another issue treated in the book relates to the measurements of competitiveness, where the point is stressed that competitiveness is multifaceted, involving various actors and dimensions within the economic and social milieu.