Astra helps small businesses

Astra helps small businesses

PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): The publicly-listed carmaker PT
Astra International realized its commitment to the so-called
Jimbaran Declaration yesterday by signing partnership agreements
with five small companies and cooperatives.

The general manager of the Dharma Bhakti Astra Foundation,
Krisni Murti, said that yesterday's agreements increased the
number of companies in partnerships with Astra to 467, adding
that they supply about 74 percent of the inputs needed by the
company.

Many of the partnerships are in the form of subcontracts with
Astra," she said. "We assist our partners in financing,
management, technology and marketing."

According to Krisni, last year's sales from the small-scale
partners amounted to Rp 338 billion (US$146.3 million).

West Sumatra Governor Hasan Basri Durin said that Astra's move
is expected to be followed by the other big companies which
signed the Jimbaran Declaration in Bali in August.

Under the declaration approximately 100 owners of
conglomerates pledged to help narrow the gap between the rich and
poor by establishing partnerships with small businesses and
cooperatives.

The implementation of the Jimbaran Declaration also includes
the improvement of a local training center in Padang grooming
young people to become entrepreneurs.

Krisni said the training center provides a realistic
atmosphere of business activities for the trainees. (13)