Dominance in economy

Dominance in economy

Prof. Dr. Sumitro Djojohadikusumo, a noted senior economist,
spoke about the gap in the economy where economic tycoons get
easy access to business opportunities and funds from banks. The
government also gives protection to their business and
industries. The professor is very unhappy because the government
lacks sincerity in overcoming this gap.

As a result of the dominance of large-scale businessmen over
medium and small scale business, which has in fact been going on
for long time, the creation of a strong entrepreneurship class in
society is inevitably obstructed. In other words, under these
circumstances the Indonesian economy will not get stronger and
the effort to achieve equity in the distribution of wealth and
prosperity will likely be thwarted.

-- Kompas, Jakarta

It is worth noting that economic strategies in many countries
are colored by struggles to abolish the rich-poor gap. Sri Lanka,
India, Thailand and the Philippines, for example, have worked in
that direction. They have not been entirely successful because
the problems are too complex.

The concept of equity and economic growth should be related to
the concept of justice. This can be redefined as meaning equal
opportunity for all parties, which can further be taken to mean
that the government needs to introduce regulations that
facilitate business operations for the 30 million or more small
business people. Actively involving them in the economy will
raise the living standard of a large portion of the population.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta

The establishment of independent investment funds to channel
credits to the less-privileged businessmen is not enough to
guarantee them a stronger position in free market operations.
Eradicating collusion and checking the conglomerates' greedy
activities is the most important thing.

-- Republika, Jakarta

Without a clear-cut government directed policy to narrow the
economic gap, it will be very difficult for medium and small
scale businessmen to improve their performance or catch up.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta

Reallocation of investment and credit facilities for small
businessmen/cooperatives is essential to achieve balanced
economic growth. If ignored, the gap between the few dominating
groups and the smaller class of entrepreneurs will widen
indefinitely.

-- Pikiran Rakyat, Bandung