According to regional director Rudolf Antoni of Swedish Business, numerous upset entrepreneurs reached out to him regarding the recent decision by the red-green government in Gothenburg to discontinue the measurement of the business climate that the organization does. Antoni himself was dismayed, angry, and disappointed when he read GP’s article on the matter. Despite having had constructive and fruitful discussions with the city on improving Gothenburg’s business climate, the government pushed through in the municipal board to remove all references to the Swedish Business Association’s survey. Antoni highlights that the decision is akin to throwing away the scale instead of reviewing one’s diet. When asked about the objections from the board that Swedish Business is an interest organization, Antoni notes that the survey is conducted in the same manner in all municipalities and is therefore consistent over time. He stresses that the least credible investigation is the one done by oneself.
Rudolf Antoni, regional director of Swedish Business, says that he was contacted by many upset entrepreneurs in the city yesterday.
– They think it’s terrible and wonder: what even is this?
He himself was both dismayed, angry and disappointed when he read GP’s article that the red-green government in Gothenburg will stop caring about the measurement of the business climate that the organization does.
– I think we had a constructive and fruitful dialogue with the city about how we can improve the business climate in Gothenburg. We have also seen how the results in our measurement have gradually improved in recent years, he says.
You haven’t received any signals about this before?
– Not at all. I met Jonas Attenius a month ago, when he gave the opening speech at the Young Entrepreneurship Fair. There he talked about the importance of a rich business life in the city. So this feels like a completely different tone and message.
The city of Gothenburg is working on developing a new business strategic program, and in that context the red-green government has pushed through in the municipal board that all references to the Swedish Business Association’s survey should be removed. This has caused their political opponents to rage and draw parallels with the Soviet Union.
Rudolf Antoni states that Gothenburg does not usually come very high in the survey, and that he can understand that it is difficult for responsible politicians.
– But handling difficult things is part of their job. The action now is like finding out that you have a problem with being overweight and instead of reviewing your diet, you throw away the scale.
An objection from the board is that you are an interest organization and that they would rather look at the survey that is carried out under their own auspices. How do you see it?
– The least credible investigation is probably the one you do yourself. Isn’t it likely that you are less biased when you judge yourself? Our survey is not without flaws, but we do it every year and we do it the same way in all municipalities. It is consistent, so over time it is good to follow.
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