“This country works,’’ Buffett said during a question-and-answer session via video at the Montana Economic Development Summit. “The best is yet to come.’’
The likes of Buffett, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer, and General Electric Co. chairman Jeff Immelt told nearly 2,000 business leaders, government officials, aspiring entrepreneurs, and others at the summit that things are getting better. They also offered some ideas.
Ballmer said there soon will be more technological advancement and invention than there was during the Internet era. That will help drive business growth, he said. “I’m very enthusiastic what the future holds for our industry and what our industry will mean for growth in other industries,’’ said Ballmer.
He envisions new technologies that move beyond the Internet to tie together computers, phones, televisions, and data centers to create amazing new products.
“All areas of science today are moving forward more quickly,’’ he said. “The speed of scientific breakthrough is accelerating.’’
The conference was organized by US Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana.
Immelt said angry political rhetoric is not helpful, and headlines are too focused on finding negative indicators. He said business at GE, one of the world’s largest companies, is improving.
Immelt said the nation needs to adjust. The economy since the 1970s has been driven by consumer credit and a misguided notion in building a lazy service economy, he said, and manufacturing, with an aim to reduce the trade deficit, is the key.
More investment is needed in technology innovation, exports need to be rejuvenated, and clean energy and affordable health care need to be given top billing for policy makers, Immelt said.
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