Effective state-business relations (SBRs) have been lacking in industrial policy thinking
despite the strong theoretical case for SBRs. The empirical study of state-business relations in
developing countries has emerged only recently, with notable contributions starting in the mid-
1990s, developing further in the 2000s and gaining more general acceptance in the 2010s. The
evidence suggests that effective SBRs can matter for economic performance. The case studies
suggest that SBRs can be effective (Mauritius) but also ineffective (Malawi). The quantitative
evidence further suggests that high scores on SBRs measures are related to higher economic
growth and firm level productivity.