Regional decentralisation means economic growth:
AER and BAK Basel launch major survey

Regions with greater powers have stronger economic growth: this theory is supported by a number of indicators, according to which strong regions in Europe develop better than the others. Wherever regions are endowed with more powers by national governments, they become able to develop better and more rapidly, thus positively contributing to the growth of the whole country.

The Assembly of European Regions (AER, www.aer.eu) commissioned BAK Basel Economics to carry out a study on 'decentralization indicators': this pilot study, which was presented today, intends to break new ground in policy areas which are crucial for regional and national growth.

The study also found new additional indicators, which enable the measurement of the difference in the distribution of power between the state and the regional and local authorities. When completed, it is meant to prove with facts and figures what all the current indicators already suggest.

Four regions took part in this pilot study: Friuli Venezia Giulia (I), Västra Götaland (S), Hordaland (N), Istra (HR).

The main project, which will involve all the AER member regions (currently more than 250) will begin this summer, and will take a year to be completed: the final results are expected to be presented in the summer of 2008.

The Assembly of European Regions - AER (www.aer.eu) is the political organisation of Regions in Europe and their spokesperson at European and international level. Its vocation is to defend the Regions' interests in the political process and develop interregional cooperation. The AER brings together 250 Regions from 32 European Countries and 14 interregional organisations.

AER Contacts: Sergio Nava, Spokesperson, s.nava@a-e-r.org - Mobile: +33 678 695235, Tel.: +33 3 88 22 74 36
Francine Huhardeaux, Press Officer, f.huhardeaux@a-e-r.org - Mobile: +33 678 695203, Tel. +33 3 88 22 74 49