2. 1 x 45

2. 1 x 45 Deported workers in limbo, unemployment worries loom

3. 3 x 15 Fate of crucial bills depends on amendment process

Experts doubt crisis center able to solve problems

Crisis center lacks power to solve problems

The newly set-up crisis center under the Ministry of Trade and Industry might not be effective in resolving pressing problems faced by businesses here due to its lack of administrative power, experts said.

They argued that the crisis center should have been set up under the Office of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

Sri Adiningsih, an economist with the University of Gadjah Mada, said that the problems faced by businesses were very complex and required integrated efforts involving various institutions before they could be resolved.

"This is a big problem. It would be more effective and flexible if the center were led by Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti as he can easily coordinate with the other relevant departments," Sri told The Jakarta Post, referring to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

Minister of Trade and Industry Rini MS Soewandi officially launched the crisis center on Monday.

Its main objective is to help resolve long-standing problems faced by business people in doing business in this country, a move that would also in turn help prevent foreign investors from fleeing the country.

Members of the crisis center will include government officials and business people.

Rini claimed that President Megawati Soekarnoputri had also approved the establishment of the crisis center.

Rini is expected to soon issue a ministerial decree formalizing the center's establishment.

Anton J Supit, chairman of the Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo), who will help run the daily operations of the crisis center, said the immediate focus of the center would be labor conflicts, smuggling and security problems.