Competitiveness: The Business of Growth--Economic and Social Progress in Latin America, 2001 Report (Inter-American Development Bank)

Competing in the world economy does not automatically boost a nation's productivity and restructure its economy. Such progress requires mobilizing capital, employment, technology and knowledge. Opportunities beyond the business realm must be fully exploited to the benefit of society as a whole.

These essential strategies for competitiveness underlie The Business of Growth, this year's edition of Economic and Social Progress in Latin America. The report offers the most complete comparison to date of indicators of competitiveness for some 20 counties in the region, including:

*Constraints to business development*Macroeconomic conditions*Availability of and access to financing*Foreign direct investment*Human resources and training*Port, electricity and telecommunications infrastructure*Innovation and informatics*Industrial promotion

The report provides clear policy guidelines and priorities for both government and the private sector to foster competitiveness. It identifies each country's strengths and weaknesses and proposes strategies to increase productivity and improve access by businesses to productive resources.