Left behind<\/p>\n
Among the three Asian countries who have suffered the most
\nfrom the economic crisis, only Indonesia remains in deep trouble.
\nThe other two, Thailand and South Korea, have already begun to
\nenjoy a significant revival of their respective economies.
\nThailand has been able to announce their readiness to end their
\nreliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF). South Korea's
\neconomy, too, is scoring significant growth -- of around 4
\npercent -- while its foreign exchange reserves had, as of the end
\nof July, grown to around US$60 billion. Only a year before its
\nGDP growth was estimated at between 0 and 1 percent.<\/p>\n
Why are we doing so badly? This question is easy enough to
\nanswer. The fact that no speedy end can be seen to the Bank Bali
\nscandal, developments in East Timor and the chaotic political
\nsituation that prevails in this country as its approaches the
\npresidential elections are parts of that answer. It is true that
\nThailand is still not entirely out of its troubles. However, at
\nleast Thais can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, which
\nis why they have dared to decide not to use the remaining $3.2
\nbillion of the IMF aid package totaling $17.2 billion. So, it is
\ntime for us to start to seriously think about the fate of our
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/left-behind-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }