Many nations have realised that the only true long-term key to economic growth is productivity improvement.
The problem is that this realisation is often the end, rather than the start, of the matter. Governments and their agencies exhort commerce – and perhaps even the population – to improve productivity and to compete – but without understanding their role in making this happen.
Exhortation and hectoring are not enough. Governments need to provide infrastructure, skills, information and advice – in ways that are accessible – just in time, at just the right level – and at the right cost!
Its not rocket science – but it isn’t easy either!