Manufacturing for Growth

The report argues that strategic public policy is a critical catalyst for manufacturing competitiveness. Based on interviews with over 70 CEOs, it identifies universal policy themes—such as stability, fairness, and collaboration—and provides tailored recommendations for China, India, Brazil, the United States, Germany, and Japan. Key focus areas include tax simplification, energy security, STEM education, and the transition to advanced manufacturing.

• Manufacturing growth is strongly associated with overall economic prosperity; higher manufacturing growth drives higher total real GDP regardless of whether manufacturing represents a large or small portion of a nation's economy.
• Chief executives identify five universal policy areas essential for growth regardless of a country's current competitive position: competitive and simplified tax systems, free and fair trade protection, energy policies promoting efficiency and low cost, education and workforce policies for superior talent, and science and technology policies that promote advanced manufacturing.
• China is transitioning from a low-cost production base to high-end manufacturing, but faces challenges including a need to redefine state-owned enterprises, improve intellectual property enforcement, and address energy sustainability.
• India's manufacturing sector is hindered by rigid labour laws, underdeveloped physical infrastructure, and a regulatory environment characterized by inconsistency and a lack of transparency.
• Brazil's competitiveness is limited by a high corporate tax burden, a lack of skilled talent due to deficiencies in the elementary education system, and a heavy reliance on commodity exports rather than value-added manufacturing.
• The United States faces significant policy and regulatory uncertainty, which executives claim leads to delayed investment and hiring decisions, and a perceived gap between basic university research and commercial application.
• Germany maintains a strong competitive position through high-technology innovation and a skilled workforce, but executives warn that high energy costs and rigid labour market regulations may undermine this advantage.
• Japan's manufacturing competitiveness is threatened by an ageing and shrinking population, high corporate taxes, and the need for a fundamental revision of energy policies following the Fukushima disaster.
• Effective public policy for manufacturing is characterized by consistency, stability, global competitiveness, and development through meaningful dialogue between business leaders and policy-makers.

APA

Moavenzadeh, J., Bernard, M., Giffi, C. A., & Powers, D. (2013). Manufacturing for Growth. World Economic Forum. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_ManufacturingForGrowth_ReportVol1_2013.pdf

Chicago

Moavenzadeh, John, Maxime Bernard, Craig A. Giffi, and Dorothy Powers. Manufacturing for Growth. World Economic Forum, 2013. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_ManufacturingForGrowth_ReportVol1_2013.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Moavenzadeh |first1=John |last2=Bernard |first2=Maxime |last3=Giffi |first3=Craig A. |last4=Powers |first4=Dorothy |title=Manufacturing for Growth |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=2013 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_ManufacturingForGrowth_ReportVol1_2013.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{moavenzadeh2013manufacturing, author = {Moavenzadeh, John and Bernard, Maxime and Giffi, Craig A. and Powers, Dorothy}, title = {{Manufacturing for Growth}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2013}, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_ManufacturingForGrowth_ReportVol1_2013.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }