LM FEB UI Visits and Discussions with IMD World Competitiveness Center in Switzerland
DEPOK – (4-6/7/2022) The Management Institute of the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia (LM FEB UI), on July 4-6, 2022, conducted a visit and discussion with the IMD World Competitiveness Center (IMD WCY), IMD Business School, in Lausanne, Switzerland.
As a partner in Indonesia since 2017 in organizing the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking issued by IMD WCY, the discussion held in Conference Room N102, IMD campus in Laussane, aims to strengthen cooperation between LM FEB UI and IMD WCY, not limited to the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking. The Chief Delegation for a visit, Dr. Willem A. Makaliwe, Managing Director of LM FEB UI, at the beginning of the discussion, said that as a partner in Indonesia, LM FEB UI is often asked for opinions from policymakers across agencies related to the World Competitiveness Ranking issued by IMD.
LM FEB UI sees that the government’s awareness and concern regarding making the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking a reference for measuring national competitiveness are increasing. Therefore, LM FEB UI considers it necessary to have a more in-depth discussion directly with IMD WCY to confirm several things related to the competitiveness ranking issued by IMD WCY.
On the next occasion, Dr. Toto Pranoto, Director of Cooperation of Universitas Indonesia, who also attended the discussion, said that UI has collaborated with the government and business people in various aspects to improve Indonesia’s competitiveness. UI also always contributes to providing input to the government related to improving Indonesia’s competitiveness. As an IMD partner in Indonesia, LM FEB UI has a strategic role in partnering with the government and industry players to synergize to improve competitiveness in Indonesia.
In line with what was conveyed by Dr. Willem A. Makaliwe and Dr. Toto Pranoto, IMD Chief Economist who hosted the discussion, Dr. Christos Cabolis stated that in his experience discussing with various decision-makers and business practitioners in various countries, they often find that sometimes there are differences in perspective between the government and industry players in improving the competitiveness of a country. Therefore, IMD WCY stated that there needs to be an effort to harmonize the steps of the government and industry players.
Dr. Christos whom Dr. Jose Caballero also accompanied, Senior Economist IMD said that IMD WCY has been present for more than 30 years in formulating the competitiveness ranking of 65 countries in the world. The 65 countries involved in this ranking volunteered to IMD, then evaluated their eligibility by IMD. Over this long period, the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking has proven to be resilient to various economic crises that have occurred in the world. Thus, they conveyed that the ranking in 2022 and during the Covid-19 pandemic has also been robust to the crisis that occurred.
During the discussion, Dr. Willem A. Makaliwe also provided input regarding the importance of interdependence between economies in shaping global competitiveness. This was responded positively by Dr. Christos Cabolis, who appreciated it. Every year, IMD sharpens indicators where some indicators that are no longer relevant, such as the number of fixed lines in a country and the digitalization of communication, are no longer included. IMD always strives to sharpen the measurement of the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking every year. The role of partners in each country is crucial in bridging the conditions that occur in the country and the ranking issued by IMD.
The meeting ended with lunch and informal discussions. On this occasion, IMD WCY said that the role of IMD partners in the future is increasingly important and highly appreciates LM FEB UI as a partner in Indonesia who discusses and provides insights related to competitiveness conditions in Indonesia.
In 2022, LM FEB UI, with the support and discussion of the Ministry of Investment / BKPM, also provided updated data that was previously unavailable. At the end of the meeting, Dr. Christos expressed openness regarding further collaboration with UI in the future.
