An initiative of BAK Basel Economics

The «IBC BAK International Benchmark Club»®, established in 1998, advises governments, administrations, trade associations, foundations and companies at the national and regional level on matters of business location quality and economic policy. The Clubs’ unique database currently covers 300 regions for up to 64 business sectors. This database allows the Club’s members to assess in detail strengths and weaknesses of their region and to benefit from the experiences of other regions.

Globalisation and decentralisation are challenging the region’s capacity to adapt and improve their competitiveness. It is at the regional level that the pressure to maintain economic growth and social development is felt most. This is why the «IBC BAK International Benchmark Club»® focuses increasingly on the regional level. Benchmarking is a means to compare and assess the multitude of regional location factors and the success of national and regional policy strategies to exploit their potential. Since regions tend to be more specialised than countries, the “right” set of location factors that satisfy the needs of both firms and people is particularly difficult to find. Benchmarking contributes to the formulation of policy strategies thus leading to sustainable economic growth.

The IBC’s database is unmatched in Europe in terms of both regional and sector-specific differentiation and data actuality. The database includes indicators of economic performance as well as quantitative measurement of several location factors and framework conditions. These currently comprise: innovation capacity, accessibility, taxation of companies and highly qualified manpower, tourism, and regulation of liberal professions. The database lays the ground for comparative regional location analyses. The database is regularly updated and extended geographically and with regard to subject matter in collaboration with renowned partner institutes from various countries.

BAK Basel Economics is a private economic research institute based in Switzerland. For nearly 25 years BAK Basel Economics has been providing analyses, forecasts and consulting services to clients all over Europe. BAK Basel Economics achieved a turnover of about € 2.9 million in 2005 and currently employs 35 persons.