Round Table “Public Enterprises – Social Good or Evil?”

3. December 2009

Round Table “Public Enterprises – Social Good or Evil?”

On December 3, 2009, ICPE hosted a roundtable discussion on the role of public enterprises (PEs) in national and world economy, with distinguished guests; Mag. Anja Strojin Štampar, Board Member of Kapitalska družba, d.d; Mr. Surjit Bhujabal, Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central) and Director (Petrochemicals), Government of India; Dr. Štefan Bogdan Šalej, Director General ICPE; and moderated by Mr. Mitja Meršol. The discussion attended honourable guests from various fields of profession, among which were Dr. Villur Sundararajan Seshadri, the first resident Indian Ambassador to Slovenia, Mr. Néstor López, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Dr. Borut Rusijan, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Mr. Anton Macuh and many others. This round table was the first of a series of ICPE roundtable discussions.

Mag. Strojin Stampar as a representative of a Slovenian public enterprise opened the floor with a short presentation of activities of Kapitalska Družba, d.d., and emphasized the positive role of PEs in national economies. Mr. Surjit Bhujabal presented the situation in Indian economy, followed by Dr. Šalej position on the importance of good and efficient management.

This instructive introduction encouraged a dynamic and interesting discussion. Key points raised were; the problem of efficiency of PEs, originating from periodic change of political option and their variable interests in state-owned enterprises; the need for a long term vision as a national consensus, concerning effective management; the significance of developing national strategies or a national model, best suitable (appropriate) for one’s country; and the issue of political maturity or immaturity.

The participants agreed that government plays an important role in national economy, however the question is how it is involved, and how can we balance state-owned companies with private-ownership. As a response the creation of a new public management was pointed out. Moreover, a comment was given, explaining that politics and lobbying have always been present in economy and will be in the future, and the only difference is that now it is more tolerated and even welcomed because of the financial crisis.

Although participants did not find a clear-cut answer on the question of whether PEs are social good or evil, they all agreed we should strive for raising professionalism as a general value and performance will change.

Mr Meršol concluded the discussion with the following words: “The key issues in the matter of PEs are manners, regulation, vision and efficiency.”

Participants at the round table (from left to right): ICPE Director-General, dr. Štefan Bogdan Šalej; Mag. Ms. Anja Strojin Štampar, Board Member of Kapitalska Družba d.d.; Mr. Surjit Bhujabal, Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central) and Director (Petrochemicals), Government of India and Mr. Mitja Meršol, moderator.

The participants were invited to take part in the discussion. Mr. Néstor Enrique López Martínez, Chargé d´Affaires of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela presented his views on the situation of public enterprises in Venezuela.

Director-General dr. Štefan Bogdan Šalej in conversation with H.E. Dr. Villur Sundararajan Seshadri, the first resident Indian Ambassador to Slovenia.

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