On the latest discussion forum (Addis Weg) being organized monthly by the Prime Minister Office, economists had touched upon the idea that the economic reform’s effectiveness should be gauged by its positive impact in raising citizens’ standard of living. On the forum, which helps the government collect inputs for the better implementation of policies, the economists stressed that finance must percolate down to the grassroots— up to the lower rung of the financial business structure.
Senior macro economy policy advisor of the PM, Mamo Mihiretu said on the occasion that the government has prepared a document on economic program tailored to make citizens’ life better. And the document will be tabled for stakeholders’ discussion soon.
Associate professor Atilaw Alemu told to The Ethiopian Herald that the UNDP’s three parameters for measuring people’s development gains are average income, life expectancy and years spent in school. When these prerequisites are met and if citizens, on the average, experience these qualities, it is possible to claim set goals are fulfilled.
He said, to ensure every citizen’s life development, there is a need to work on increasing everyone’s income. So towards increasing citizens income, there is a need to use human resource. It may be labour resource, capital resource or entrepreneurial mind. Creating job opportunities is tantamount to creating income. That income will increase through time and change humans’ life.
The solution is creating job opportunities, but the government had been tardy in doing so. It shouldered the responsibility single alone. It has not wide-opened the door for private sectors. As such, it is not that effective, he added. If the finance trickles down to every citizen until the lower business class, the public can engage in income generating ventures. But things must not be done for window dressing purpose but to effect change, Atilaw stressed.
He added, a proper legal system has to be there so that people run their businesses safe. So, the government should work to thwart the bureaucratic labyrinth. The legal system should be rather supportive than being an encumbrance.
As to the Associate professor, if the finance situation, the legal framework and other working situations are encouraging, the public can do better. And the convenient situation can enable them to focus on manufacturing than other small services. This practice helps to downsize importing and it promotes the creation of more job opportunities inside the nation.
“The government has to be a facilitator but not job giver. If companies engage privately, opportunities for them to be more gainful would be wide. The owners could work hard to become profitable. S/he can manage employees for a better efficiency”, he said.
Associate professor Ermias Ashagre, on his part told to The Ethiopian Herald that the government has to focus on tangible impacts in turning around people’s life but not only on reports for media coverage. Reports in the past had been much exaggerated. They stood in contrast to facts on the ground. Therefore, such a trend had been affecting the quality of people’s life.
As to him, changing every citizen’s life should be seen through the prism of the three indicators. So sector’s programs need be carefully implemented and projects have to be adjusted accordingly.
When it comes to brainstorming issues there was a gap between government and scholars. This did affect the sector. Now lots of researches are being presented and discussions are being carried out. If the government has to overcome limitations, it has to give a heeding ear to scholars and use the opportunity.
Ermias capitalized, to better run the economic sector, there is a need to give more opportunities for the elites than politicians. Things should be better run by experienced and knowledgeable individuals, he added.
The Ethiopian Herald, August 18/2019
BY GENET FEKADE
