Governance and Economic Growth: Focus Areas
Local Economic Development
Local governments play a key role in fostering local economic development. They help education institutions understand and meet the human capital needs of businesses and can establish special economic zones or "incubator" institutions to foster the growth of local economies. Local governments can ensure that basic systems, such as permitting and registration, are simple, efficient, and transparent. RTI has developed innovative ways to spur cooperation between private groups (businesses, associations, civic-minded non-governmental organizations), citizens, and local governments to revitalize local economies. Making progress on the local economic front—attracting investment, creating job opportunities—brings legitimacy to and strengthens the democratic process.
Recent experience includes work in the Palestinian Authority, Indonesia, Liberia, Afghanistan, El Salvador, and Ukraine.
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