This is the kind of article Pakistan's top 1% should be writing too!
 
Those of you in the media whom I have sent this too, please write about it. Get something going.
 
Meekal
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August 29, 2011 7:55 pm

I am not a masochist but the rich must pay more

Like all of us, I have watched in recent days as economists and oracles wail a chorus of lament on every screen, in every newspaper. First came the downgrading of the US credit rating, in effect the downgrading of a nation. Then came the stock market crisis. The same thing would soon happen to France, pundits of all kinds claimed. Our era of prosperity was over. Europe was in decline. We were doomed.

Such talk was intolerable. I have run a company for 23 years; I am accustomed to tough competition and downturns. But I cannot simply accept decline. Yes, our countries have been living beyond our means. The social model of western European societies is not sustainable without strong growth. We are trapped by our handouts and welfare support, and the price is unfeasible budget deficits and mounting debt. But France and Europe also have enormous assets. I believe strongly that we can maintain our rank, economically and in every other way.

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So what could I do? I took up a pen and started writing. Just as no French government in the past 35 years has been able to resist running a deficit, with the exception of finance minister Thierry Breton (2005-07), no government has truly reformed our country's abundant and complex social systems and bureaucracies. They may have made sincere attempts but with the exception of President Nicolas Sarkozy's reform of pensions and the non-replacement of 50 per cent of civil-servants going into retirement, these efforts have not yielded results.

There is fundamental work to be done that can cut our public deficits and, above all, our government expenditure. Cuts in public spending will be painful and, unfortunately, of necessity much will be borne by the programmes' target populations: the middle class and less favoured people. It seems to me only fair that the most privileged members of our society should take up a heavier share of this national burden. So I called for an additional tax on the rich. I am not a masochist; I do not love taxes. But right now this is important and just.

As I started to write on this issue, across the Atlantic the Sage of Omaha, Warren Buffett, was writing his own article, on more or less exactly the same point. We had not spoken to each other on the subject; we did not read each others' drafts. Perhaps even more surprisingly, a number of US business leaders joined his campaign; and in France, a number joined my call. So perhaps the tide has changed, as the wailing pundits claimed; but perhaps the new cycle will not be one of decline but of clear-thinking and solidarity.

Clearly any added taxation of the wealthy should be carefully dosed so as not to discourage entrepreneurial flair and the fair reward of success. Also it should be clear that increasing taxes will not resolve public deficits. Such a tactic would be futile – rather like the daughters of Danaus trying to fill a sieve – and could only encourage greater self-indulgence. A resolution of public finances, in France and across Europe, can only be achieved if we revise our social model and institute vigorous reforms, possibly including privatisations, with the revenue dedicated to debt-reduction. It is because of the inevitable ensuing pain that the privileged should also make an exceptional contribution.

Our countries must become more competitive. In the 1990s, French industry had a 10 per cent competitive advantage over Germany because the cost of labour was lower. Today France's labour costs exceed Germany's by 10 per cent. They have been swollen by the 35-hour limit on the work week and the burden of social welfare contributions for programmes such as family subsidies – which would be more fairly funded by the entire population, via sales taxes such as value added tax. There is a long list of reforms needed.

Is this a programme of that dreaded word, rigour? I prefer to talk of vigour. Probity in the running of public funds will set an impressive example for the broader population. If the wealthy can endure higher taxes without complaint, the less privileged may feel able to bear the pain that sharp-edged reforms will entail. I never thought I would find myself saying this, but it is time to increase my share of taxes.

The writer is chairman and chief executive of PublicisGroupe and president of the Association Française des Entreprises Privées

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Embassy of Pakistan, Ankara

(Information Section)

------

 

Press Release

 

Pakistan Embassy Hosts Eid Reception

 

ANAKRA, 30 August 2011:  The Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey H.E. Mr. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat hosted Eid reception here today that was attended by a large number of Turkish dignitaries, members of Pakistan community, and Embassy officials.

 

Congratulating the guests on the auspicious occasion, Mr. Shaukat said the Embassy is gearing efforts to create interface between the business communities of Pakistan and Turkey that will be instrumental in further enhancing the existing traditional brotherly relations as well as help to boost economic ties.

 

During his interaction with guests, Mr. Shaukat briefed them about the steps being taken by the democratic government of Pakistan for economic development. He said Pakistan is keen to have investors from Turkey in productive sectors of economy such as energy, infrastructure, agro-based industries, etc.

 

The guests expressed their complete solidarity with the transformative agenda of the democratic government of Pakistan. They also appreciated the goodwill gesture of the Embassy and assured their full support to the Ambassador and his team.

 

ENDS

 

Photo captions:

 

Photo 1: Ambassador M. Haroon Shaukat and his wife in a group photo with children of Pakistan community at Eid day reception he hosted in Ankara on 30th August 2011.

 

Photo2: Ambassador M. Haroon Shaukat with Turkish guests at a Eid day reception he hosted on 30th August 2011 at Ankara.


--
Abdul Akbar
Press Attache
Embassy of Pakistan
37 Iran Cadessi.GOP, Ankara, Turkey
Tel: +90 (312) 4270243, Fax: 4670337
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PakTurkey
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PakTurkey
Blog: http://PakTurkey.blogspot.com

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Business community supports handing over Gencos to private sector: Mian Shahid

FPCCI's Fazal Elahi, Chadda, and IWCCI's Samina back move

 

Islamabad: [August 30]

Business community has supported the proposal of Water and Power Ministry to give control of some power generation companies to private sector for a specified time in a bid to transform them into profit making entities.

 

The suggestion is very positive and according to the wishes of private sector which has repeatedly claimed ability to transform inefficient public sector organisations into profit making entities, said Mian Shahid which speaking at a forum held at The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW).

 

Giving operational and maintenance control of four power generation companies (Gencos) to private sector for a period of 10 years may prove a turning point, he said adding that it will be a test of the skills of private sector.

 

Mian Shahid said that private sector's focus is on profit maximisation is what is needed today as the stress of public sector entities on other aspects of business has resulted in losses to the tune of billions.

 

This decision, if implemented, can rationalise tariff, improve efficiency, reduce complaints, bring political meddling and overstaffing to an end which is a major reason of losses, said said Shahid who is also Executive of Saudi Pak Insurance Company.

 

At the occasion VP FPCCI Fazal Elahi said that such a move is imperative as it will reduce per unit cost of electricity if contractors are allowed to trim organisations.

 

"This proposal should be approved immediately with a mechanism so that mistakes committed in unsuccessful privatization of KESC are not repeated," said Elahi.

 

Chairman FPCCI Capital Office Hameed Akhtar Chadda said that the elimination of circular debt is the key without which no state-run enterprise can become profitable no matter who manages it.

 

He called for steps that can attract experienced and reputable individuals and companies in such a venture.

 

Samina Fazil, President, Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that matters pertaining to investment, tariff adjustment and profits should be settled in front of the public eye to ensure transparency in any such deal.

 

She said that if proven successful, the private sector can be entrusted to bring other organisations out of losses that can save around 500 billion rupees per annum. 

 

Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee on Pharmaceuticals Tariq Mehmood said that such a move without giving full control to private sector may prove counterproductive.

 

 

--

Dr. Murtaza Mughal

Cell:  0321-5157671

President Pakistan Economy Watch

www.pakistaneconomywatch.com

 

 

 

 

 

 


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