"We need close cooperation between the state and companies. Where would Ericsson have been without Televerket?" (Televerket = the old telephone monopoly in Sweden.)Oh, golly.
I wonder if it's just good old companies like Ericsson that should work closely with the state. What about Spotify? And Tripbirds, maybe we can work closely with the state, too. That would be great for innovation. right?
It's worth noting that Ericsson has the same stock price today as it did in november 1995. Not counting inflation. During the same period the stock index has gone up more than 300%.
I don't mean to bash Ericsson. But maybe closer ties between Ericsson and the state isn't the way forward if we want to be an innovative country in the years to come.
In Håkan's defense he says he'd like to shut down a state-owned venture capital fund, with three billion sek in capital, that the center-right ruling coalition set up in 2009 to invest money in the automotive industry. The reason? "It was a fiasco, and it hasn't worked". Sounds reasonable. Håkan's solution? A new state fund investing in other industries. Hmm...
As an alternative solution to politicians of all colors: Stay out of the market, and let entrepreneurs take care of innovation. But do all you can to make the market machinery work. Like fixing this. Get it?
Thanks.
UPDATE 29/11 2011: 6 days later, the tax authorites removed the double taxation on apps. Way to go!
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