'Stop doubting trade liberalization'<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti
\ncalled on the public not to make any more fuss about trade
\nliberalization, saying globalization could neither be stopped nor
\nreversed.<\/p>\n
\"There is no force in this world that could stop that,\" he
\ntold reporters, after giving his keynote speech at a workshop on
\nsmall and medium-sized enterprises on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Rather than complaining on what has become a worldwide trend,
\nDorodjatun said that local businesses should improve their
\ncompetitiveness in the international market, as it was the only
\nway they could hope to survive.<\/p>\n
\"This is the 21st century, let us end any doubts we may have
\nabout globalization and liberalization,\" Dorodjatun added.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)
\nand ASEAN's Free Trade Area (AFTA).<\/p>\n
His statement came as a response to mounting opposition calls
\non globalization, arguing that free trade would only cause misery
\nto Indonesians rather than prosperity.<\/p>\n
The latest protests had come from labor unions across the
\ncountry, which just concluded their three-day conference on labor
\nhere.<\/p>\n
They claimed globalization and free-trade pacts would make
\nmore Indonesian workers jobless, because of their lack of
\ncompetitiveness.<\/p>\n
Attended by 120 labor unions, the conference's main aim was to
\nformulate a common perception on globalization.<\/p>\n
However, while admitting that competitiveness was one of the
\nmain obstacles in competing internationally, Dorodjatun still
\nbelieved the situation could be improved.<\/p>\n
It could be achieved through political, economic, bureaucratic
\nand legal reform.<\/p>\n
He did not elaborate, but said that failing to implement such
\nactions would push the country away from world trade.<\/p>\n
Of the four sectors cited, Dorodjatun stressed it was legal
\nreform that was most urgent.<\/p>\n
\"Nowadays, the international community does not ask much about
\nhow the country handles its security, or human rights. It is more
\nconcerned about what this country is doing to improve its legal
\nsystem,\" he claimed.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/stop-doubting-trade-liberalization-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}