TY - CHAP

T1 - Overview and Insights

AU - Page, John

AU - Tarp, Finn

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - There is increasing recognition that the market imperfections on which theoretical arguments for industrial policies rest are widespread in low-income countries, and that well-designed government policies can contribute to improved economic outcomes. There is also greater understanding that the private sector has a central role to play in formulating and implementing industrial policy. Because much of the information relevant to policy-making is held by firms, some form of structured engagement—often referred to as close or strategic coordination—between the public and private sectors is needed, both to assist in the design of appropriate public actions and to provide effective feedback on their implementation. This introductory chapter provides an overview of common themes and outlines a set of forward-looking ideas for strengthening public–private coordination in Africa. It argues that these ideas must form part of any development agenda for Africa in the years to come.

AB - There is increasing recognition that the market imperfections on which theoretical arguments for industrial policies rest are widespread in low-income countries, and that well-designed government policies can contribute to improved economic outcomes. There is also greater understanding that the private sector has a central role to play in formulating and implementing industrial policy. Because much of the information relevant to policy-making is held by firms, some form of structured engagement—often referred to as close or strategic coordination—between the public and private sectors is needed, both to assist in the design of appropriate public actions and to provide effective feedback on their implementation. This introductory chapter provides an overview of common themes and outlines a set of forward-looking ideas for strengthening public–private coordination in Africa. It argues that these ideas must form part of any development agenda for Africa in the years to come.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - Africa

KW - industrial policy

KW - Low-income countries

KW - strategic coordination

KW - development agenda

KW - public and private sectors

U2 - 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198796954.003.0001

DO - 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198796954.003.0001

M3 - Book chapter

SN - 9780198796954

T3 - WIDER Studies in Development Economics

SP - 1

EP - 20

BT - The Practice of Industrial Policy

A2 - Page, John

A2 - Tarp, Finn

PB - Oxford University Press

ER -