Rahardi's appointment concerns businessmen<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Business associations have expressed their
\ndoubts over the ability of Rahardi Ramelan as the new minister of
\nindustry and trade.<\/p>\n
Chairmen of the associations told The Jakarta Post yesterday
\nthey were concerned that Rahardi, a former research and
\ntechnology minister and the chairman of the Agency for Assessment
\nand Application of Technology, was not the best person to take
\ncharge of the industry and trade sectors.<\/p>\n
\"Rahardi comes from a technology and science background, he
\n(President Habibie) should have appointed someone with vast
\nknowledge and experience in trade,\" said the chairman of the
\nImporters Association of Indonesia, Amirudin Saud.<\/p>\n
Amirudin stressed that an industry and trade minister must be
\nskillful in negotiating with the international community,
\nespecially during the economic turmoil.<\/p>\n
\"Our international trade has many problems, especially
\nregarding (export) quotas and letters of credit,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Amirudin said Tanri Abeng, a top executive reappointed as the
\nstate minister for the empowerment of state enterprises, would
\nhave been a more suitable candidate for the industry and trade
\npost.<\/p>\n
Tanri Abeng comes from a strong business background, having
\nworked for large corporations such as the Bakrie Group prior to
\nhis first appointment as minister by then president Soeharto in
\nMarch.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association Bambang Riyadi
\nSoegomo agreed that Rahardi was not suitable for the position.<\/p>\n
\"Rahardi is a technocrat. A trade person must be able to sell
\nour country because we desperately need the foreign exchange
\nrevenue,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Bambang compared Rahardi unfavorably to his predecessor
\nMohamad \"Bob\" Hasan, saying Bob knew and understood trade.<\/p>\n
The controversial outgoing minister is a timber tycoon
\nand a long-term friend of Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Bambang said he hoped Rahardi would not be bound by long
\nbureaucratic procedures during his term as industry and trade
\nminister.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the Indonesian Retailers Association, H.J.A.
\nSinungan, criticized the fact that Rahardi was not a \"field
\nperson\".<\/p>\n
\"For industry and trade, we need a minister who goes to the
\nfield to examine for himself what is making our problems,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"Problems regarding economy, distribution and production must
\nbe resolved soon,\" he added.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the Indonesian Footwear Association, Anton
\nSupit, said yesterday that fixing the trade sector would be
\nRahardi's biggest task.<\/p>\n
\"We have problems with the World Trade Organization and
\ndeclining competitiveness, for example. This must be resolved
\nwith a good marketing approach,\" he said. (das)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rahardis-appointment-concerns-businessmen-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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