Fixed salary earners As predicted by our economists, the forecast for this year's economy is cloudy. The current account deficit is expected to reach US$6.8 billion whereas in the 1994/1995 budget year it totaled only $3.5 billion. The situation demands that we not only reduce our imports but increase our exports. At present, export growth is slowing down. One of the reasons is levies, which has become an obstacle to export growth and improved public service.

Timorese freedom fighters return home from exile JAKARTA (JP): Three East Timorese freedom fighters exiled from their homeland for over three decades by the Portuguese government arrived here yesterday on their way to East Timor. "We are happy to be back," Domingos Soares, 56, said through a translator. Domingos arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta airport last night with two compatriots Armindo Amaral, 56, and Evaristo da Costa, 60.

Kotjo fights Singapore sanctions SINGAPORE (Reuter): Indonesian businessman Johannes Kotjo said he was appealing against the sanctions imposed on him by the Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES), the Business Times (BT) said yesterday. He told the newspaper in an interview that he intends to play a major role in Singapore's corporate scene despite having been censured by the SES last week.

Teenagers jailed for theft JAMBI, Jambi: Two teenagers were sentenced to seven months imprisonment each for their part in several thefts, some of them involving force, in the Angsa Duo market over the past year. The two young men, 15-year old Arman Arianto and 16-year old Didi were members of a syndicate that has been operating in the town's main market. Their two accomplices are still at large, Antara reported.