The
rapid
process
of
globalisation
is
among
the
most
striking
features
of
the
current
economic
landscape.
It
raises
new
challenges
for
policy
makers,
particularly
linked
to
the
impacts
of
globalisation
on
production
and
employment
in
OECD
countries.
At
the
2004
Ministerial
Council
Meeting,
a
number
of
Ministers
considered
that
the
OECD
could
help
to
dispel
fears
about
the
issues
related
to
the
increased
outsourcing
of
industrial
production
--
often
outside
the
OECD
area.
Solid
facts
to
underpin
the
identification
of
true
policy
issues
and
responses
were
still
scarce
and
a
wide
range
of
anecdotal
and
often
contradictory
evidence
was
quoted
in
the
public
debate.
A
systematic
empirical
overview
of
trends
and
developments
was
considered
to
be
lacking
even
though
the
political
concerns
related
to
globalisation
are
high
on
the
policy
agenda
in
many
OECD
countries.