The government's policy to provide generous handouts to small-scale in

Answer C is a trap.

You should choose B over C because:

- "avoiding financial handouts unless absolutely required" is already mentioned. So no need to say again.

- Whereas, "encouraging a competitive ecosystem by enabling industries to perform at optimal levels" is in line with the aim of the author. It's a new agenda, that's also supported by the original aim.

Hi Bunuel. Could you help me clarify?

Experts: worried about small scale industries building their competencies

Alt B: small scale industries to perform at optimal levels (optimize current competencies? wont solve the experts issues)
Alt D: small scale industries to take on large industries (develop their competencies to reach large industries level)


THe only way I thought for B to work is that AT OPTIMAL LEVELS industries wouldnt require hadnouts. But, again, the experts issue isnt with the handouts itself, but with the effect of limiting the development of competencies

(A) "helping the industries by providing necessary handouts"
- This option essentially suggests that the focus should remain on providing handouts to industries, albeit only when necessary. However, it doesn't address the economists' concern that excessive government assistance can hinder the development of competencies in small-scale industries.

(B) "encouraging a competitive ecosystem by enabling industries to perform at optimal levels"
- This option aligns with the criticism of excessive handouts and the call for a different focus. It suggests that the government should focus on enabling industries to perform at their best, which includes fostering a competitive environment. This complements the economists' viewpoint that too much assistance can hinder competency building.

(C) "avoiding financial handouts unless absolutely required"
- This option, similar to option (A), acknowledges the need to avoid excessive handouts. However, it doesn't provide a clear positive direction for government policy but rather a negative one (avoiding financial handouts), which is not as strong as option (B).

(D) "encouraging small-scale industries to take on the large industries"
- This option suggests a competitive approach where small-scale industries are encouraged to compete with large industries. While it's a valid strategy, it doesn't directly address the concern about government handouts or the economists' specific criticism. It focuses more on competition between different-sized industries.

(E) "avoiding setting up a non-industry-friendly image for the government"
- This option emphasizes the government's image but doesn't provide a clear direction for policy. It suggests avoiding a negative image but doesn't offer a positive approach to addressing the economists' concerns.

In conclusion, option (B) is the best completion for the passage because it directly addresses the criticism of excessive government handouts to small-scale industries by focusing on creating a competitive ecosystem and enabling industries to perform at optimal levels, which aligns with the economists' concerns about competency building.