We know that the economy operates in cycles, but also that the behaviors of actors are not neutral in relation to the results. Without being reckless, it would be desirable for entrepreneurs in the Azure region to show courage and determination rather than a notarial mindset that only highlights what is wrong.
Naturally, the blame is always on others, especially the government, no matter what it does! Of course, there is a downturn in international and national conditions, but merely waiting for the economic cycle to restart on its own is probably not the best solution.
Come on, we can do better than wondering why there is not more entrepreneurial dynamism despite all the region’s assets, particularly… its climate and sunshine!
We might as well ask why Silicon Valley is not located on the equator…
Or we could say that, just as after the rain comes the sunshine (a natural certainty), we might as well wait for a more virtuous economic cycle (economic doctrine is also reassuring here).
In this gloomy context and depressed environment, Bernard Kleynhoff presented the traditional year-end review and outlined the path for the coming year.
“We have an economy without momentum,” said the President of CCI Côte d’Azur. The figures measure this statement: -0.5% in turnover and -0.5% for employment (2014/2013).
This is not dramatic, but 2013 was not a positive year, so…
A glimmer of hope comes from the world of craftsmanship. Its president, Jean-Pierre Galvez, announces that in the year 2014, the number of members increased by more than 800 units, exceeding the threshold of 35,000 businesses in the department.
In reality, since the majority work individually, the impact on the world of work is not very significant.
This leads Laurence Chaleil, Vice President of UPE06, to say that employment in the Azure region is still recording losses (451,200 jobs with 0.4% in the third quarter of 2014 compared to 2013), placing the Alpes-Maritimes department above the regional average in terms of unemployment (67,940 job seekers, an increase of +7.8% in 2014/2013 compared to +6% regionally and +5.4% nationally).
The problem is severe, but the analysis made by the business leader based on her personal case (4 job vacancies she had difficulty filling… What a representative sample!) does not represent an appropriate analysis.
Failing to distinguish between some abuses and reality and thinking that all unemployed prefer benefits to work is an intellectual grossness before being widely false!
To move things forward, it will take much more than commonplace coffee shop conversations.
