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)