Adjusting to change in ASEAN

Adjusting to change in ASEAN

The nine members of ASEAN agreed at the end of last week to
liberalize investment policies throughout the region. Various
advantages are to be offered by the ASEAN countries to investors
in the coming two years, beginning on January 1, 1999.

Considering the strong impact which ASEAN's new liberalized
investment policy is certain to have, it would be only proper for
the Indonesian government to answer the challenge by invoking a
new investment paradigm.

Various steps have indeed already been taken by the Capital
Investment Coordinating Board toward that end, but more concrete
measures are needed to encourage investors; for example, the
easing of complicated licensing procedures.

Even more urgently, political and economic stability must be
ensured since both provide the key to success in luring foreign
investment.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta