S. Anastasopoulos (Competitiveness Convention): We do not want more, but a better regulatory framework

“Good governments behave like good management teams. A good strategy emerges from a basic national consensus, inspired and guided by good political leadership, with a long-term vision and good execution.”

This was stated by Professor Arturo Bris, Director of the Center for Global Competitiveness of the Institute for Management Development (IMD), and author of THE RIGHT PLACE: HOW NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS MAKES OR BREAKS COMPANY of Greece and IOBE.

As noted in today’s announcement, regarding the online event recently organized jointly by CompeteGR and IOBE, the President of the Competitiveness Council of Greece, Simos Anastasopoulos, said: “In the digital age, knowledge and talent are among the main We need good education systems, and it is not only rich countries that can afford them, education and infrastructure are the responsibility of the state in a competitive economy, both of which require long-term policies and social consensus as well as sustainability. of politicians beyond a generation “. “Competitiveness is a KPI and the levers are education, infrastructure, technology, the rule of law, efficient capital markets, transparent governments, a good regulatory framework, natural resources,” he said. , values, and culture “. He characteristically said: “We do not want a regulatory framework anymore.

We want the best, in order to protect both our customers and our shareholders. Effective policies – that is, competitive policies – must aim to increase productivity, increase wages and spending, and thus increase government revenue through taxation. The state should manage public finances so that both costs and benefits are shared fairly, enhancing sustainability and environmental protection. “They need to reduce bureaucracy and corruption.”

The general director of IOBE, Nikos Vettas, underlined the link between national competitiveness and business success, noting that in the case of Greece, and the crisis that erupted in 2008, it was not sufficiently understood that the country needed a way out of the crisis. contribution of a robust and extroverted business sector. Policy makers, he noted, focused the years of crisis on correcting macroeconomic imbalances. But the link between the business structure of the economy and macroeconomic imbalances was key. The competitiveness deficit, he noted, was reflected in the trade balance, the unfavorable development of which was the main cause of the crisis. However, in recent years, Mr. Vettas said, in the current crisis, the crisis triggered by the coronavirus, the trade balance has deteriorated, mainly due to developments in tourism, but exports of products and processing have increased significantly, which is particularly encouraging development. He stressed that many important steps have been taken in the direction of reforms in recent years, however, the effort has not been completed. He noted that even the most difficult reforms in practice concerning the core of public administration, education and justice are required to proceed. Reforms of this scope, he added, require a minimum of consensus in the political system and support from society. Such reforms in the hard core of the state will send a strong message to the investment community and will substantially strengthen the country’s competitiveness, Mr. Vettas stressed.

“The right place requires the right strategy and the strength of companies needs to be accompanied by the strength of the State, not forgetting the strength of Civil Society. There are no prescriptions or quick corrective actions” Dr. Venice Cousia.

In his statement, Bryce referred to his assessment of the factors that make nations prosper. These are:

– Country reforms: The process of managing change is more important than its outcome. Consensus building is paramount

– Culture: Culture shapes policies, but policies shape culture. Leaders do not have to be deaf, but sometimes it is good to be deaf.

Innovation: Innovation ecosystems need to optimally combine talent, capital and the regulatory framework. Innovation is everywhere.

As noted in the announcement about the book. “Mr. Bryce narrates a 30-year course bringing us closer to the IMD findings of the International Competitiveness Center, presenting them in a brilliant way because he combines them with his travels in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America. “We understand in an ingenious way why the operation of the various organizations depends on the wider environment of the country and their region. One could say that it serves as a guide for both the countries and the companies that aim to improve their competitiveness.”