Michael Heise, Chief economist of Allianz.

In recent years we have been over-reliant on central banks. We cannot expect economic activity to increase just by applying more of the same medicine that hasn't been effective so far. The effort of central banks to create growth and jobs and push up inflation to two percent has not succeeded. Monetary policy does not address the root causes. To increase productivity and growth, we need a handoff to other policy areas. For example, to encourage companies to invest their cash, spread technological innovation and education, governments should put more effort into improving the investment climate by implementing product and labor market reforms. Making interest rates negative will not solve the problem.

Allianz SE issued this content on 12 February 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 12 February 2016 13:14:14 UTC

Original Document: https://www.allianz.com/en/press/news/company/point_of_view/160212-applying-more-of-the-same-medicine-will-not-help/