Kadin tells govt, private sector to better efficiency<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
\n(Kadin) yesterday called on the government and private sector to
\nimprove efficiency to face the liberalization of trade and
\ninvestment set by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
\nforum.<\/p>\n
"We have to adopt the motto `be efficient or die' for our
\nbusinesses," said Kadin Chairman Aburizal Bakrie, referring to
\nIndonesia's heroic motto of the 1940s, "get free or die."<\/p>\n
APEC leaders issued the Bogor Declaration after their second
\ninformal forum in Bogor, south of here, earlier this month,
\nstipulating that the forum's developed members should liberalize
\nthemselves by 2010 and developing members by 2020.<\/p>\n
Kadin also called on the government to create a more conducive
\nbusiness climate through deregulatory measures, such as tripping
\nthe remaining high import tariffs, reducing non-tariff barriers,
\neliminating complicated trade regulations and removing price
\ncontrols.<\/p>\n
Kadin also made an appeal to the government to foster the
\ncapability of local service companies to compete on the world
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
Viewing infrastructure as a vital requirement for economic
\ngrowth, Kadin asked the government to quicken the pace of
\ninvestment in infrastructure, especially in electricity,
\ntelecommunications, clean water and transportation facilities.<\/p>\n
Timetable<\/p>\n
To well anticipate the trade and investment liberalization in
\n2020, the government is also asked to prepare a "baseline"
\nprogram, by making a clear timetable in reducing protection for
\nthe local manufacturing industry.<\/p>\n
"The government should invite domestic industrial companies to
\ndiscuss the baseline program," he said. "I think it will be
\nbetter if they can form a committee for such a program."<\/p>\n
Kadin also suggested that the local stock markets be more
\nefficient, liquid, transparent and competitive so that they would
\nbe able to catch a portion of the international capital which
\nmoves freely among the world capital markets.<\/p>\n
"I hope local companies will utilize stock market instruments
\nby listing themselves on the Jakarta and\/or Surabaya stock
\nexchanges, the parallel market or even in foreign stock markets,"
\nAburizal said.<\/p>\n
In addition to its appeals, Kadin yesterday also announced
\nthat coinciding with the APEC's second forum, business agreements
\nworth some US$49 billion were signed.<\/p>\n
The agreements include the Natuna gas project worth $35
\nbillion, which will be operated by the American oil company Exxon
\nand the state-run Pertamina.<\/p>\n
The second largest is a port construction project, worth $5
\nbillion, which will be accomplished by PT Adora Indonesia, an
\nAustralian-Indonesian joint venture company, PT Batu Hitam
\nPerkasa and PT Indonesia Bulk Terminal.<\/p>\n
"Look, if just 30 percent of the US$49 billion materializes,
\nI'd say it's a great achievement," Aburizal said, adding that
\nKadin itself also forged cooperation with its counterpart from
\nChile, the Philippines and the United States. (rid)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kadin-tells-govt-private-sector-to-better-efficiency-1447893297",
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