Destaques21/05/2009 - Mesa Redonda do BIAC.
O SG da OCDE, Angel Gurría, participou, em Lisboa, numa Mesa Redonda organizada pelo BIAC (órgão consultivo patronal da OCDE), sobre o tema “Responder à crise económica mundial – o papel da OCDE na promoção de mercados abertos e na criação de emprego”.
Intervenção de Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues
First of all, I would like to thank BIAC for the invitation to address this Session of the Roundtable which covers such vital and strategic topics.
Let me also express my appreciation to AIP for providing us with these extraordinary conditions.
The severe economic difficulties in the daily lives of families and companies are a reality.
Suddenly, the foundations on which countries have built their models of economic growth in the past decades proved to be somehow less consistent and even weak when confronted with the limitations of some of the modern societies’ institutions.
Against this setting, it is indispensable to revisit the basics of these models, questioning them. The width of the problem we now face, as well as its systemic nature, does not allow us to simply “go along”, in the hope that, at some point, the way back to progress may be restored like a simple act of magic.
Governments’ intervention is a decisive factor when facing dysfunctional markets and, above all, an environment of severe mistrust.
Dynamic and prompt reactions by national authorities contribute to the essential restoration of the necessary trust.
We must, nevertheless, admit that we still have a long way to go and that resources are not unlimited. Monetary, as well as budgetary policies, primary instruments, work within certain boundaries. The margin of manoeuvre of macro-economic policies is today rather short, even when considering the existing flexibility mechanisms.
The union between public and private demands that the first may promote freedom of initiative and investment, creating the necessary conditions for a more open economy, as well as for a simpler and more efficient regulatory environment. As for companies, they are expected to achieve a virtuous combination between, on the one side, risk and innovation, and on the other, responsibility.
And responsibility put on a double perspective: an internal perspective – at the level of management structures - and also an external one; towards the whole society.
In this area, the constant dialog between OECD and BIAC has been particularly relevant, namely as regards negotiations on corporate governance and corporate social responsibility.
As far as corporate governance is concerned, a few lessons have been learnt from what happened, especially in the financial sector. Those lessons point to a need to reinforce the application of the OECD’s Guidelines, reviewed in 2004. The balance of powers within companies, the improvement of information and transparency, the involvement of the different stakeholders, the connexion between managers’ salaries and companies’ real results are aspects where improvements are needed.
As for corporate social responsibility, thiscomponent is growingly appearing as one of the pillars of the new economic paradigm. The sensibility towards social, ethical and environmental principles is vital.
A new approach focused on individuals and their qualifications as well as on hiring people on both sides of the age spectre is also desirable.
The ongoing crisis makes us double our attention towards these aspects, as it generally happens in times of rupture. Let us then look at these circumstances as an opportunity, rather than a fatality.
On the topics on this session’s agenda, we are particularly concerned by those related to employment. We are going through a job crisis that represents the most tremendous face of an environment of economic degradation that affects millions of people. Cores of dissatisfaction and despair are steadying growing.
In conclusion, let me use the Portuguese language, taking advantage of the fact that we are gathered in Lisbon, before an audience composed by an expressive number of Portuguese businessmen.
É o relançamento económico que pode criar emprego, mas não obstante persistem ainda inúmeras falhas ao nível da própria regulação dos mercados de trabalho.
Há que acreditar que não nos vamos ficar pela regulação dos mercados financeiros globais, o que não é pouco. Para que o paradigma emergente possa ganhar legitimidade e aderência das pessoas, é preciso ir bem mais além. É imperativo inverter a tendência mundial de agravamento das desigualdades.
Dito isto, contamos com o BIAC em particular para um debate construtivo em torno destas matérias visando encontrar as vias mais adequadas ao progresso económico e social, objectivo enformador da Convenção instituidora da OCDE.
A perspectiva empresarial enriquece a análise e fortalece o alcance das políticas. Daí que seja do interesse da OCDE reforçar esta parceria que é, claro está, bem mais do que isso. Tem que ser uma marca da própria Organização que também só poderá cumprir o seu papel no séc. XXI se for capaz de encerrar em si esta constante dialéctica entre as forças motoras de qualquer sociedade.
É indesmentível a gravidade desta crise. Mas não é menos certo que dispomos de condições para, apostando na inovação, tirando maior partido das tecnologias, atraindo o talento e premiando o mérito, recuperarmos níveis mais elevados de produtividade e de competitividade. O contributo das empresas portuguesas para a afirmação do país é insubstituível.
Estamos perto do local donde partiram as caravelas portuguesas à procura de novos mundos. Não é despropositado evocarmos essa imensa façanha para nos convencermos a todos de que é possível desbravar novos caminhos e alcançar novas paragens.
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