Human resources to be developed further: Try

Human resources to be developed further: Try

JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno said yesterday that Indonesia's service industry and human resources are in need of improvement and reformation.

"The government and people are determined to continue their efforts to improve the quality of human resources through the improvement of professionalism, productivity, work discipline and ethics as well as the management of infrastructure," Try said at the opening of the third roundtable with the Indonesian government.

The roundtable, which ends today, is being attended by about 110 executives from some 60 multinational companies. A number of ministers, high ranking officials and economists are giving their presentations at the two-day meeting organized by the Economist Conferences.

Try noted that improvement and reformation in those sectors are necessary to prepare Indonesia for entry into a freer market under the World Trade Organization, which was set up early this year.

"Indonesia sincerely hopes that an open, equitable and transparent trade system, which is mutually beneficial and imbued with mutual respect, will truly be materialized," Try said.

He also noted that the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is expected to contribute to a better system of free trade in the region.

"APEC is not a closed trade bloc. Thus, non-APEC states can enjoy free trade and investment in APEC because its aim is not merely to improve the well-being of the region but the prosperity of the world in general," Try said.

In anticipation of APEC free trade, Try said, Indonesia is committed to further deregulation and the simplification of bureaucratic procedures to produce a conducive business and investment climate. (rid)