Fixed salary earners

Fixed salary earners

As predicted by our economists, the forecast for this year's economy is cloudy. The current account deficit is expected to reach US$6.8 billion whereas in the 1994/1995 budget year it totaled only $3.5 billion. The situation demands that we not only reduce our imports but increase our exports.

At present, export growth is slowing down. One of the reasons is levies, which has become an obstacle to export growth and improved public service. If civil servant salaries are not increased this year, we hope this will not affect their service to the public.

Efforts must also be made to curb inflation without hurting the public. Controlled inflation will contribute to the creation of a climate conducive to foreign investments and protect the incomes of fixed salary earners such as civil servants.

-- Republika, Jakarta