Buffett, Ballmer predict bright US economic future

BUTTE: Some of the biggest names in business said Monday that they see a bright future for the economy, with famed investor Warren Buffett declaring the country and world will not fall back into the grips of the recession.

"I am a huge bull on this country. We are not going to have a double-dip recession at all," said Buffett, chairman of Omaha, Neb.-based Berkshire Hathaway Inc. "I see our businesses coming back across the board."

Buffett said the same things that worked for the country through a century of two world wars, a depression and more — all while increasing the standard of living — will work again. He said banks are lending money again, businesses are hiring employees and he expects the economy to come back stronger than ever.

"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 the nearly 2,000 business leaders, government officials, aspiring entrepreneurs and others at the summit that things are getting better. They also offered some ideas for what needs to be done.

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 am very enthusiastic what the future holds for our industry and what our industry will mean for growth in other industries," said Ballmer, whose company is based in Seattle.

He envisions new technologies that move beyond the Internet to tie together computers, phones, televisions and data centers to create amazing new products. And the pace of innovation will increase as technology makes workers more productive.