A speedy end to the crisis?

Considering the results achieved at the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) in Vancouver -- particularly in relation to efforts to surmount the monetary crisis which is at present engulfing several APEC countries, including Indonesia -- there appears to be reason to be optimistic that the turmoil which began in July this year can be ended before very long.

The Vancouver declaration, among other things, designates 1997 as the APEC Year of Action to speed up liberalization in trade and investment as a follow-up to the Manila Action Plan for APEC (MAPA). For Indonesia, this means that the efforts that are now being made to overcome the present monetary crisis must also serve as a starting point for taking follow-up actions related to MAPA.

Finally it seems that, after the Vancouver Declaration, there is no choice for Indonesia but to intensify our economic reformation efforts so that we will be able to reap the greatest possible benefits.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta