Industrial policy is an important part of the municipalities' responsibility for financial sustainability in the local community. Development of a strong and competitive business environment is the basis for the general development of the community. Municipalities play an important role both at strategic and operational level when it comes to offering the business community a good framework and favourable conditions.
Since the local government reform, industrial and regional development has become a larger area of responsibility for the municipalities. In combination with a new "Act on Industrial Promotion", the reform has provided the municipalities with a new opportunity to set the agenda for regional development and growth. Danish municipalities have not only become larger, they have also been assigned new tasks that are very important for regional development.
Based on the new act and the reform, municipalities have taken over the activities involved in business service. This makes the municipalities the only public access to entrepreneurship and therefore they have a major responsibility for ensuring sustainability in Denmark in the future.
Furthermore, five regional "Growth Forums" have been established in Denmark that are responsible for formulation and implementation of regional business development activities. The Danish municipalities are partners in "Growth Forums" through which they contribute to regional business development.
In other words, municipalities in collaboration with the business community and the regions play an important role in industrial and economic development in Denmark.