Environment preservation major factor in international trade
Environment preservation major factor in international trade
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of the Environment Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja said that Indonesia has to get its act together in
environmental protection because it has become an increasingly
important factor in international trade.
"We have to assure our trading partners that we are serious
about dealing with environmental issues," Sarwono told
participants of a discussion on environment yesterday.
He said that Indonesia, which is emerging as a major producer
of light consumer products, should pay serious attention to the
demands by world market for more environmentally-friendly
products.
He added that manufacturers will increasingly come under
stronger pressures not only come from the importing countries,
but also from consumers.
Sarwono cited the example of the recent questionnaires made by
a number of importing countries to 90 textile companies operating
here; one question specifically asked if the companies if they
used dangerous chemicals in their productions.
He said a failure to strengthen the commitment to the
environment could sentence Indonesia to a tiny trading network
involving countries with poor environmental awareness, meaning
that it would reduce its international competition.
"We will become the sidewalk vendors of international trade,"
he said.
Indonesia should also consider the maneuvers by certain
industrial countries to link trade with environmental
considerations in order to attack potential competitors.
"Now, many countries are using environmental issues as the
stick to beat us with," he said.
Sarwono believes that Indonesia should not be defensive in
coping with these actions, saying that it should rather show its
commitment coupling trade with environment.
He said that the commitment should come from the country
itself and not because of pressures from outside parties. Once
the initiative come from outsiders, he said, the latter would
become dominant and dictate whatever they want.
Sarwono was keynote speaker of the discussion taking the theme
of "The Role of Electronic Media in Improving People's Awareness
on Environment" which was jointly organized by the Indonesian
Environment Forum (Walhi) and the World Wide Fund (WWF) Indonesia
Program.
Other speakers included Eduard Depari, a communication
observer, and Zainul A. Suryokusumo, an official of the
Association of the Indonesian Private Radio (PRSNI).
In the other part of his speech, Sarwono said people should
show their commitment to environment and be willing to do
something to preserve it.
"If people have already shown their strong commitment and
willingness to preserve the environment, they will have 'teeth'
in struggling for the efforts to preserve the environment."
He criticized activists from non-governmental organizations
who merely concentrate on awakening the people's awareness about
then environment, which has proven to be inadequate.
Edward said that an interesting environment campaign would be
one with the message telling the people the rewards they would
receive for protecting the environment. "People will tend to be
more appreciative towards on positive message compared to the one
which employs a fear approach."
Advertisements on environmental awareness sometimes miss their
target because of the disparity in perceived interests and actual
interests. (par)