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.