Big businesses told not to bully smaller enterprises

Big businesses told not to bully smaller enterprises

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno yesterday called on
large-scale businesses to refrain from making difficulties for
their small and medium-sized counterparts, saying such practices
were inconsistent with the country's system of "Pancasila
economics."

Speaking to participants in a three-day third congress of the
Association of Indonesian Small and Medium-Sized Business at the
Vice Presidential palace yesterday, Try said that, by the same
token, small and medium-sized businesses should also avoid
"harassing" and "making things difficult" for their bigger
partners.

"Large and strong businesses should be able to guide and
vitalize small businesses, which, in turn, should gradually
become more independent and capable of helping their larger
counterparts. This will lead to a mutually beneficial
partnership," Try said at the opening of the congress.

The congress, which began yesterday in Cipayung, Bogor, is
being attended by 500 entrepreneurs.

Try acknowledged that small and medium businesses derived from
"pure entrepreneurs", who were accustomed to dealing with many
difficulties and pressures in the business world and were used to
facing risks.

"They also have a better ability to analyze a situation and
can, therefore, catch the business opportunities that happen to
come their way," he added.

Try told small and medium entrepreneurs to put up with the
many developments in the economy which may seem unfavorable to
them. They have to be optimistic and big-hearted no matter how
small their businesses are, he added.

He said the government gives a lot of attention to supervising
and protecting small, medium-sized and traditional businesses, so
that they are able to grow.

"Large-scale entrepreneurs and state-owned firms have tried to
contribute to narrowing the wide economic gap through partnership
programs and capital loans," Try said.

"These acts of goodwill should be welcomed...as a reflection
of the 'family spirit' among the country's economic players," he
said. (pwn)