Economist says high-tech projects yield few benefits<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An observer has recommended the country shift
\nits approach to technology development to focus more on small
\nindustries over the long-standing preference for high-tech
\nprojects with intensive capital investment.<\/p>\n
Economist Hal Hill, who conducted research in Indonesia and
\nedited the book Indonesia's Technological Challenges launched
\nyesterday, said the country had treated high-tech projects as
\nadvantageous investments despite their limited rewards.<\/p>\n
\"Those high cost projects have yet to contribute to the life
\nof small industries or the greater community at all,\" he said
\nafter a discussion held at the Center for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies.<\/p>\n
Hill referred to projects of state-owned technology and
\nresearch institutions like Bandung-based aircraft manufacturer PT
\nIPTN, the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and the Agency
\nfor the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).<\/p>\n
\"Technology to the majority of people is easily referred as
\nhigh-tech products and intensive capital investment. But, the sad
\npart is that it has little contribution to small industries.\"<\/p>\n
Technology was supposed to be a creative human product which
\ncould be used by many aspects and sectors of life, Hill said.<\/p>\n
He added that small industries which had managed to survive
\nwithout any technological assistance from the government should
\nbe given priority for promotion.<\/p>\n
Hill cited a small garment business in Bali which, with
\nlimited access to technology, marketed its products directly to
\ntourists or foreign brokers who happened to be in Bali and wanted
\nto make additional money from their trip.<\/p>\n
\"There will be a transfer of knowledge and it will be a very
\nstrong tie as producer, buyer and middlemen are engaged in the
\npractice.\"<\/p>\n
Despite its small size, the garment business established a
\nstrong network with its business counterparts in Australia.<\/p>\n
\"Government should see the effects of that simple pattern and
\nimmediately provide assistance produced by proper technology.\"<\/p>\n
Hill said the government could learn lessons from the modest
\nbusinesses and the technology applied within them to find a
\nsolution to the monetary crisis.<\/p>\n
\"But I'm afraid this modest opinion is not in line with the
\nbig frame from (President B.J.) Habibie, (Minister of Industry
\nand Trade) Rahardi Ramelan and even (Minister of Cooperatives)
\nAdi Sasono as it's too simple,\" Hill said. (emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/economist-says-high-tech-projects-yield-few-benefits-1447893297",
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