Placed under the direction of Abdellah Saaf, Senior Fellow of the PCNS, this 259-page work brings together 14 scientific articles related to the theme of the book, produced by 17 authors, exploring the relationship between public establishments and enterprises (EEP) and reform of the State, the redefinition of roles between public policies and regulation and political actors.
Speaking on this occasion, the minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, Younes Sekkouri, welcomed the diversity of perspectives brought by the researchers of the work.
The minister thus addressed the question of the differences in frames of reference in decision-making between public and private companies on the one hand,and public decision-making on the other hand,adding that this divergence can create apparent tensions,as in the case infrastructure projects involving expropriations.
Mr. Sekkouri also pointed out that on the one hand, managers of public companies, in search of performance, base their decisions on profitability and mobility studies, and on the other, local elected officials, subject to political and social imperatives, may have different priorities, such as the preservation of the social fabric and the territories concerned.
“This disparity in benchmarks sometimes makes it challenging to align decisions, particularly when the interests of local authorities and public companies diverge,” he noted.
For his part, Mr.Saaf indicated that this subject has been little explored in recent decades, with only a few rare reference works. This rarity, he argued, is partly explained by the fact that the field of EEP is ofen perceived as a space dominated by a certain form of sovereignty, making it difficult for researchers to access.
At the heart of the work is the idea that the EEPs embody another form of the State, distinguished by greater flexibility than the traditional State, underlined Mr. Saaf, adding that these entities are inspired by part of the rules of governance of the private sector, while striving to maintain balances essential to their proper functioning.
for his part, Karim El Aynaoui, executive president of PCNS, explained that throughout history, these EEPs have often been underestimated, particularly in an era marked by the Washington consensus, which advocated a reduced role for the ‘State.
He continued: “However, EEPs have contributed to the development of the country in different ways, whether in the engineering sector, infrastructure or through educational institutions.”
This collective work questions the evolution of EEPs within the framework of state reform, by questioning their role in economic and social development policies, as well as in the development, planning, execution and the evaluation of public policies.
What is the impact of public enterprises on economic advancement in state reform?
Interview: Understanding the Evolving Role of Public Enterprises in State Reform
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good day, and welcome to our special segment where we delve into contemporary issues shaping our economy and society. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Abdellah Saaf, Senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), who has recently co-edited a thorough work on the interplay between public enterprises and state reform. Welcome, Mr. Saaf!
Abdellah saaf: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to share insights from our recent publication.
Interviewer: Your work discusses the relationship between public enterprises and state reform.Can you elaborate on why this relationship is crucial for understanding modern governance?
Abdellah Saaf: Certainly. Public enterprises, or Établissements publics à caractère industriel et commercial (EPICs), are pivotal in embodying a more flexible form of the state. They apply certain private sector governance principles while maintaining the essential balances needed for effective public service delivery. This unique position allows them to contribute significantly to economic and social development, which we explore in our book.
Interviewer: Minister Younes Sekkouri expressed concern about the differing priorities of public and private sectors during decision-making. What are some implications of these disparities?
Abdellah Saaf: The divergence in priorities can indeed create tensions, notably in large infrastructure projects that may involve expropriations. Public company managers frequently enough prioritize profitability and operational efficiency. Conversely,local officials focus on social and territorial imperatives,leading to conflicting viewpoints. Bridging this gap is critical to aligning efforts for community benefit.
Interviewer: You mentioned that this topic has been underexplored.Why do you think the role of public enterprises was overlooked historically, especially during the Washington Consensus era?
Abdellah Saaf: That’s an insightful observation. The Washington consensus promoted a reduced role for the state in economic activities, which diminished the visibility and perceived value of public enterprises. Consequently, the significant contributions they made, particularly in infrastructure and education, were largely underestimated. A re-examination of EEPs within the framework of state reform allows us to challenge these outdated narratives.
Interviewer: In your opinion, what are some practical insights that policymakers should derive from your book regarding public enterprises?
Abdellah Saaf: Policymakers should recognize the adaptability public enterprises offer in implementing state policies. By promoting collaborative frameworks that align the priorities of local authorities with those of EEPs, we can enhance decisions impacting economic development. Furthermore, integrating robust performance metrics that consider social implications can facilitate improved outcomes for communities.
Interviewer: Karim El Aynaoui noted the ancient underestimation of eeps. How do you think this perception can change moving forward?
Abdellah Saaf: We need to promote awareness of the impactful roles EEPs play in various sectors. By highlighting successful case studies and fostering dialogues among stakeholders, we can shift perceptions. Governments,researchers,and civil society should collaborate to ensure EEPs are recognized not just as bureaucratic entities but as vital players in economic and social policy.
Interviewer: what message would you like to convey to our readers regarding the future of public enterprises?
Abdellah Saaf: I encourage readers to view public enterprises not just as administrative components, but as dynamic institutions capable of driving meaningful change. Engaging with them positively and constructively can lead to innovative solutions for the pressing socio-economic challenges we face today.
Interviewer: Thank you,Mr. Saaf, for this enlightening discussion. Your insights on the evolving roles of public enterprises are indeed timely and essential for understanding contemporary governance.
Abdellah Saaf: Thank you for the possibility to share this crucial dialog.