04/03/2005 11:25:16 am
GM Goes to Rüsselsheim. A press release from General Motors just presented the news that the new GM middle-sized model from 2008 will be manufactured in German Rüsselsheim, not in Swedish Trollhättan. This has been a long discussion which is sensitive, since thousands of people at SAAB are affected. The fact that companies choose where to produce freely in a new Europe and a global economy is natural and positive. It gives us better and cheaper products. But of course it is hard for the people working there at present. We see a long-term trend with a decreasing number of people working in the traditional industry. And we see an increase in services, where already a majority work. We cannot and should not attempt to stop companies from moving. What should be done, however, is to create a business climate where new companies grow and replace the old. That is development. Trade in services, for one thing, has to be facilitated. And every door should be opened up for free enterprise in the welfare sector, the most demanded services in our society. And, indeed, much more to create a very competitive business climate. Sadly, now we seem to be moving in the oppositie direction with higher taxes, stop-law for welfare companies etc.