American scientist Allen Scott has been working on the issue of economic regional development for more than 20 years. In particular, he gives detailed description of the post-industrial economic regional development. His book “On Hollywood: The Place The Industry”, which describes a Hollywood city agglomeration phenomenon, was awarded the Meridian Prize in 2006. BUSINESS decided to ask the scientist how to ensure economic prosperity at the regional level and what recommendations he can give to Ukraine considering its problem of depressed regions.

Efficient regional policy can increase competitiveness of the national economy and mitigate the impact of financial downturn.

José López Garrido, Executive Director of SUMA Local Tax Authority (Alicante, Spain).

Donetsk Oblast has seen launch of a regional economic development project. On 9 October 2008, Anatoliy Blizniuk, Donetsk Oblast Council Chair, Vladimir Logvinenko, Donetsk Oblast Governor, Nataliya Izosimova, Managing Director of the Foundation for Effective Governance, and Andrew Swart, Partner of the leading international consultancy Monitor Group signed a tripartite cooperation agreement to realize the pilot project in the region

Kim Campbell, former Canadian Prime Minister, speaks on the global financial crisis, perspectives of Ukraine’s economy development and Lviv competitiveness

In Ukraine they do not really get the difference between the “party” issues when there can be some divergence between the parties and the issues on which the parties should get consolidated and work together

Ukraine saw an event on 17 September, 2008 that remained unnoticed against ongoing political wrangling. But it is one of those landmarks that can play a more significant cleansing role than any election or reformatting of coalitions. On 17 September, the Verkhovna Rada approved, perhaps, one of the most brand laws today - the law on joint stock companies.

Foundation for Effective Governance, established by a Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov last year, held a round table in Simferopol called “Competitiveness of Ukrainian Economy and the Regions”