Business and

Business and
globalization

From Suara Karya

Millions of Indonesians rely on small and medium-size
businesses for a living, with these businesses accounting for 94
percent of business activity in Indonesia.

Unfortunately, small and medium-size businesses are yet to tap
to the maximum the facilities of the banking sector. Also, the
government seems to be half-hearted about boosting these
businesses. Understandably, small and medium-size businessmen
find it hard to receive capital assistance to develop their
businesses.

In the past, the government helped big businesses, which
account for only 0.01 percent of business activity in Indonesia.
The result is a backlog of debts sustained by these big
businessmen amounting to over Rp 700 trillion, which is why the
country has been thrown into a deep economic crisis.

With the country still in the throes of a deep economic
crisis, it is small and medium-size businesses that have survived
despite not being supported by the banks.

With the era of liberalized trade soon arriving, the
government must realize that only businesses with a competitive
edge can perform well in the global market. In this context, the
government must see to it that Indonesia has human resources
qualified to respond to the global challenges.

ANDI SYAMSUDDIN ASHAR

South Sulawesi