Export oriented firms form forum to voice complaints

JAKARTA (JP): At least 17 export oriented companies agreed on Thursday to form a forum to help voice their concerns to the government following the disbandment of the National Business Development Council (DPUN).

"With this forum we hope we can discuss our difficulties with the number one and number two persons in the country," Benny Sutrisno, chairman of the Indonesian Textile Association (API), was quoted by Antara as saying.

The forum will serve as a pressure group to get the government's attention on problems in the business sector, he said.

Benny said the forum would soon ask the government to prioritize the development of labor-intensive export oriented companies.

The forum includes API, the Indonesian Footwear Association (Aprisindo), the Association of Indonesian Furniture Manufacturers (Asmindo), the Association of Indonesian Toy Industry (Apmi), the Association of Indonesian Pepper Exporters (Aeli), the Association of Indonesian Coffee Exporters (Aeki) and the Association of Electronic Manufacturers (Gabel).

Indonesian Exporters' Association chairman (GPEI) Anton Supit said the forum should meet regularly with the government.

He mentioned a similar scheme in South Korea where the government met with exporters on a monthly basis to find out about their difficulties.

"If there is a problem that can't be solved, the president of South Korea immediately fires the related minister. This has been proven effective in increasing their exports," Anton said.

He said the reason why Indonesia had not come out of the crisis was because of a lack of coordination, especially between the needs of the macro and the micro sector.

The lack of coordination had also caused various ministers' policies to collide, Anton added. (10)