The Italian National Productivity Board (NPB) was appointed in September 2024 with a determination of the President of the CNEL, the National Council for Economics and Labour, a constitutional body provided for by Article 99 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic[1].
The National Council for Economics and Labour is composed, as set out by law, of experts and representatives of economic categories in such proportions as to take account of their numerical and qualitative importance. It serves as an advisory body to the Houses of Parliament and to the Government on matters of economic and social policy. It may initiate legislation and contribute to drafting legislation according to the principles and within the limitations set by the Italian law.
On top of the CNEL President and experts, representatives of the Bank of Italy and the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) also sit in the Italian NPB, ensuring a solid combination of technical expertise and institutional representation. The secretariat of the Board is provided by the administration of CNEL, which guarantees operational support and research assistance.
The Board's mandate, in line with Recommendation 2016/C 349/01, is to analyse and evaluate the evolution of the productivity of the national economic system, produce an annual report, propose policies and reforms to improve the overall competitiveness of the national system, carry out analysis and research to investigate the factors that contribute to productivity and cooperate with the other NPBs of the European Union. In addition, the Italian NPB, being integrated within CNEL, is part of the National Statistical System (SISTAN), and hence has the right to acquire data and information relevant to its analyses, and to collect opinions and perspectives from social partners and other stakeholders.
[1] Currently, the Italian board is underpinned by virtue of the CNEL president deliberations of July 2024 and not by a government act.