Competitive Regions 21

The purpose of the Project is to elaborate strategies for increasing competitiveness of districts of the Slovak Republic, with the overall objective of reducing the economic and social disparities between regions of the Slovak Republic. Reference is made to the application dated 07 July 2008 and any subsequent correspondence with the Focal Point. The completed Project shall include the following activities and results: 1. Collection of statistical data for need of drawing up the Regional Business Environment Index (hereinafter only RBEI). 2. Slovakia–wide research of opinions of managers on barriers of business in regions and possible improvements of regional business environment. 3. Analysis of economic activity, infrastructure, human resources, and public administration in the involved districts. 4. Description of the biggest employers, analysis of investment inflow and sectorial structure of business sector in the region. 5. First formulation of barriers to business and competitive opportunities of districts of the SR, formulation of baseline strategies for development of regions (districts, or groups of districts with same problems), testing and commenting first draft of outcome by self–government of regions; synthesis of data for calculation of the RBEI. 6. Incorporating comments and preparation of final version of the study on competitiveness of districts with suggestion for its increase (in Slovak and English languages) and preparation of an investment map of the SR by quality of the local business environment, and printing of publications. 7. Development of a web site in Slovak and English languages. 8. Project management and publicity. The Project Promoter is the Business Alliance Slovakia. The Focal Point shall ensure that the Slovak Republic provides at least 15 percent of the total estimated eligible Project cost.