KKN a stumbling block to investments<\/p>\n
Patrick Guntensperger, Business Consultant, Jakarta,
\nttpguntensperger@hotmail.com<\/p>\n
As a new government settles in and takes on the Herculean task
\nof turning the Indonesian economy around, there are a number of
\nthings that must be considered. In the first place, no
\nsignificant economic growth is going to take place until the
\nplague of corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN) is addressed
\nand seen by outsiders to be waning. KKN is holding this country
\nback from a future of unbridled potential.<\/p>\n
I have recently done some traveling and every day I am in
\ncommunication with people from all over the world. Every
\norganization or person with whom I discuss these matters reports
\nthe same thing: Indonesia is simply not on his or her radar
\nscreen for investment or even for visiting for one overriding
\nreason...KKN.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's development of a global reputation for something
\nother than being a hotbed of corruption is critical to her
\nacceptance as a serious member of the world's community of
\neconomic and cultural exchange. If Indonesia is going to realize
\nher potential, international awareness of the great things this
\ncountry has to offer must be brought about. To raise that
\nawareness, Indonesia must overcome her well-deserved reputation
\nfor corruption. And that awareness will pay enormous dividends.<\/p>\n
We should be investing large sums of money and energy in
\nforeign trade efforts. Our government should consider dedicating
\nenormous resources to the introduction of the new Indonesia to
\nthe rest of the world. There should be high profile Indonesian
\nculture and trade expos at major cities in the west, shamelessly
\nhuckstering for this country.<\/p>\n
As a new, democratic government begins to chart a course for
\nIndonesia in the 21st century, the time is ripe for Indonesia to
\ncapitalize on her unique resources. Let us encourage the western
\nconsumer goods and tourism market to sit up and reconsider their
\npreconceptions regarding Indonesia.<\/p>\n
We need to see the government cooperate with companies in the
\nconsumer goods, travel and tourism, cultural arts and
\nentertainment businesses to establish a commission dedicated to
\nthe promulgation of uniquely Indonesian products and services to
\nthe Western world.<\/p>\n
As an example of the kind of initiative that is needed, a
\ntrade mission that showcases Indonesian culture and Indonesian
\nproducts should be created, well organized, funded and launched.
\nThe cultural trade show should feature Indonesian film, music,
\npainting, sculpture and dance as well as business and investment
\nopportunities.<\/p>\n
An overview of Indonesia's unique mosaic of cultures, history
\nand geography should be presented in a way that emphasizes her
\nexoticness to the Western mind. The arrival of the Indonesian
\ncultural exposition in a city in the West should be a major media
\nevent.<\/p>\n
Business owners should be encouraged to join the exposition
\nand diplomatic representatives should be on board to promote deal
\nmaking, to answer investment questions and provide help in
\nsorting through paperwork. It is critical that the exposition be
\nprofessional and impressive...even awe-inspiring. We have the
\nresources to do it and the message is there if we choose to
\nspread it.<\/p>\n
Of course, we have to re-think the incredibly shortsighted
\nvisa-on-arrival policy that was recently instituted. Our
\ndiplomatic posture should be one of welcoming visitors to this
\ncountry rather than one that reeks of suspicion, hostility and
\nopportunism. It is only with simple, inexpensive and bribe-free
\naccess to business and tourism visas that we will see the steady
\nflow of visitors and therefore investment that we need.<\/p>\n
That means that we have to have government employees who know
\nwhat they are doing and who actually do it without having to be
\nbribed. These officials are the first ones that potential
\ninvestors encounter when they arrive in Indonesia; their
\nprofessionalism, or lack thereof, sets the tone for an overall
\nimpression of this country.<\/p>\n
Right now, that impression is as likely to be one of
\nincompetence, dishonesty, greed and inefficiency as anything
\nelse. Combine that with a visa policy that sends out the
\nunmistakable message that visitors are not wanted, and we are
\nvirtually assured of receiving bad reviews in the foreign press.<\/p>\n
Right now, most westerners couldn't find Indonesia on a globe.
\nMost of those who are sufficiently enlightened to have heard of
\nthis country know little more than that she is a poor, tropical
\ncountry and, "Doesn't Indonesia always rate as one of the most
\ncorrupt places on earth?" That is a situation that we can change,
\nif we have the political will to do so.<\/p>\n
There is nothing preventing Indonesia from becoming
\nuniversally respected and, ultimately, envied. Indonesia has so
\nmuch going for her that it is a tragedy of enormous proportions
\nthat we haven't capitalized on the vast number of advantages we
\nenjoy, but rather, we continue to wallow in KKN, poverty and
\ninternal bickering. The rest of the world watches bemused; those
\nwho are aware of this country can't help but think of what could
\nbe done here if we could only find a leader with a vision, a
\npopulation that shares that vision and the political will to
\nfollow through.
\n-----<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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