Power Breakfast: U.S. competitiveness falls, mayor chooses airport chief, transit, Obama, Coke, Lanier

An interesting report is out today on U.S. competitiveness, which is slipping.

The U.S. has fallen behind Sweden and Singapore in the ranks of competitive economies because of huge deficits and pessimism about government, a global economic group said Thursday, according to an Associated Press report.

Switzerland retained the top spot for the second year in the annual ranking by the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, AP writes. It combines economic data and a survey of more than 13,500 business executives.

Sweden moved up to second place while Singapore stayed at No. 3. The United States, now No. 4, was in second place last year after falling from No. 1 in 2008, AP reports.

The WEF praised the United States for its innovative companies, excellent universities and flexible labor market, AP wrties. But it also cited huge deficits, rising government debt and declining public faith in politicians and corporate ethics.

“There has been a weakening of the United States’ public and private institutions, as well as lingering concerns about the state of its financial markets,” the group said.

Mapping a clear strategy for exiting the huge U.S. stimulus “will be an important step in reinforcing the country’s competitiveness,” it said.

The report ranks 139 countries by assessing business efficiency, innovation, financial markets, health, education, institutions, infrastructure and other factors, AP said.

The United States was followed by Germany, Japan, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Canada.

In the AJC:

• Atlanta mayor says decision made on airport chief
• Transit patchwork under fire
• Business needs greater demand for tax break to work best
• Obama plan a great opportunity if done right, says CEO
• Georgia awarded $50 million for neighborhood improvement
• Coca-Cola forecasts long-term growth
• Lake Lanier to get state park

In other media:

• Health insurance costs seen rising
• Falling rates aid debtors but hamper savers
• UK agency fines Goldman $27 million

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