Government investment creates the public infrastructure that is essential for long-term economic growth and societal wellbeing, by supporting, for instance, the provision of public services (e.g. schools). Investments in transport infrastructure, and other large-scale projects improve productivity and competitiveness. Investments in research and development may spur benefits by promoting new technologies or products. For maximising the benefits of public investment and for ensuring that public resources are used in the best possible way, the OECD Principles of Budgetary Governance recommend 1) grounding capital investment plans in an objective appraisal of economic capacity gaps, infrastructural development needs and sectoral/social priorities; 2) assessing the costs and benefits of such investments, the affordability, the relative priority among various projects, and the overall value for money; 3) evaluating investment decisions independent of the financing arrangements; and 4) the development and implementation of a national framework to support public investment.