Turning to the domestic market<\/p>\n
In 1997 economic observers used to say that our big companies,
\nenjoying protection and facilities from the government, were good
\nonly in the domestic market.<\/p>\n
When the economic crisis made Indonesia ask the International
\nMonetary Fund (IMF) for help, it forced Indonesia to open its
\nmarket to foreign products, a situation that still continues with
\nsome people believing Indonesia is far more liberal than the WTO
\nagreement requires.<\/p>\n
In the aftermath of the Bali blast, which killed or wounded
\nmany foreigners, Indonesia, still in the grip of the economic
\ncrisis, has received mounting pressure from Western powers,
\nparticularly the US, who see Indonesia as reluctant to join a
\nmajor alliance against international terrorism. They have cut
\ntheir import orders from Indonesia on the grounds of security.
\nEven the United Nations Security Council issued its Resolution
\nNo. 1438 about the Bali tragedy being a threat to international
\npeace and security.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Textile Association has predicted that, as a
\nresult, exports in 2003 will be down by at least 20 percent.
\nPredictably, other sectors will fare similarly.<\/p>\n
If this phenomenon continues, there will be massive layoffs
\nand disturbances to security will rise. The whole thing is really
\na vicious circle.<\/p>\n
Given this gloomy outlook, the best way is to turn to the
\ndomestic market. The industry and trade ministry must team up
\nwith the directorate general of customs and excise to keep
\nillegal trading practices away from the domestic market, the
\nchoice of which is a matter of life and death for our business
\ncircles.<\/p>\n
-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/turning-to-the-domestic-market-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }