Of expressways and fast cars


Was at the first session of the Institute of Policy Studies, State of the Economy 2012, annual conference, om Wednesday  which launched  their State of the Economy report, on the  rather unfortunate theme  "How can Sri Lanka stay on the Growth Expressway?"   I can see that following the budget and the reduction in import duties on racing cars, there can be snide remarks about what sort of Formula 1 racing is going to take place on the growth express way, remarks made by people who don't like the idea of the unmitigated commitment to growth that the theme implies, and fast tracked growth to boot. (Admittedly such people could be very few and far between, these days). For me, "staying on the growth expressway" conjurs an impression of driving fast for fast sake without any idea of destination or purpose.   

Publication presented to the audience through a video and an e-book.  Chief Guest:  Tissa Vitharana, Senior Minister.  Better than Sarath Amunugama.  Suggested that research organisations shouldn't gloss over the facts, but present the real picture.  Would have liked to have asked him, who is listening? 
 
Inauguration followed by the first session of the 'Conference':  Bridging disparities across sectors, regions and population groups"  three short presentations (by three IPS researchers) and thoughts from the panel discussion  - all moderated by Nisha Arunatileka. Panellists: Dr Athula Ranasinghe, Mr L K Ruhunage, Consultant to ILO Project Office on National Labour Migration Policy, Ministry of Foreign Employment, Ms Kumari Navaratna, Senior Health Specialist, World Bank, Mr Rizvi Zaheed, Managing Director, Hayleys Agricultural Holdings Limited, and Mr Sathis de Mel, Executive Ditrector, Arthacharya Foundation.  
 
Some disconnected random thoughts from me: a lot of talk about labour force participation, but very little about the care economy (zero) or the informal sector (some mention);  mismatch between skills and labour market and the need to turn out 'employable' graduates raised many times - quite apart from the fact that this is an old story that we have not been able to solve since my Marga days if not before, it looks like the concept of education for education's sake has been discarded, and education is now seen to be highly instrumental; a lot of hot air about the need to 'modernise' agriculture, without a real understanding of what this actually means.  Talk about moving from paddy to high value crops, about economies of scale, about linking farmers to the market and making them proud about being able to sell gherkins to McDonalds, and some consternation (not celebration) that sometimes  the environmental voice can be stronger than the agricultural productivity voice.  For Rizvi (understandably, but not forgiveably)  every thing has to come from markets, because markets are sustainable (where have you been, man?).   Micro Insurance is rearing its head, and someone actually put forward "moonligting' as a concept to understand how the job market works.  Interesting, but not much innovative thinking or imagination.. time is opportune for re-imagining...

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