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)