Jakob Riis: If we look beyond COVID-19, what key strengths do you consider important and which areas need to be further improved to sustain Denmark’s competitiveness?
Henrik Wulff:
"Given the size of our country, I believe that one of our strengths is our homogenic basic perceptions. This leads to more efficient decision making on what is important and what is not, for local societies but also globally."
I believe we share a common interest in ensuring a sustainable future. This should be our growth engine, and how to contribute to achieving the 17 SDG’s (Sustainable Development Goals) should serve as the foundation for improving our competitive advantage. Actually, it has already been our competitive advantage for decades. We care about welfare, healthcare, sustainable energy etc., etc. and given the size of our country, the amount of companies with a global impact is impressive. We should stay progressive and forward looking.
Jakob Riis: What does it require to improve these strengths?
Henrik Wulff: Basically, I think we have to strengthen the “socio-financial ecosystem”- thinking. The performance of our country depends on all the input and output throughout the value chain. Therefore, we need to continue strengthening the quality of our education within all areas: craftsmanship, the service sector, science, production etc. One element in this is, not to move, but rather to broaden or strengthen some of the relevant educations outside the Capital Region in close cooperation with companies and their needs. This will strengthen the whole country. High quality in our central universities is of key importance and must never be compromised to keep global advantage, but the accessibility and links to regional needs from innovative companies is important to strengthen the entire country and the “socio-financial ecosystem”. All educations and job types and the quality of these, are interlinked in this small country, and should be seen as a full eco-system of progress.
Jakob Riis: You also mentioned that purpose was an important element?
Henrik Wulff: Yes, the next generation has an even stronger purpose-driven mindset than previous generations. We have a solid ranking as a sustainable and modern nation already. In 2020, Denmark was no. 1 in leading the world on climate change action in the world-leading sustainability index, Environmental Performance Index (EPI). We need to nourish this position going forward, for our competitive advantage to attract talents, create interesting jobs, companies – in short, feed the eco-system. Global climate and sustainable discussions are constantly increasing, and innovative countries and companies will play a significant role going forward. Old fashioned companies will close down.
Jakob Riis: So, if you were to summarise with some advice to the Danish Government on how to strengthen our competitive advantage, what would that be?
Henrik Wulff: To strengthen our competitiveness, I would provide the following advice:
- Overall: Strengthen the “socio-financial ecosystem”-thinking in all parts of a Danish value chain of wealth – all job types and educations with focus on the future trends
- Boost the understanding of the importance of a broad range of educations and broaden relevant educations out of the Capital Region in close cooperation with companies all over Denmark. Quality leads to quality – from one type of job/education to another….
- Promote the overall purpose of Denmark’s global, open and modern innovative economy – focusing on companies for the future
