Imported products

Imported products

From Bisnis Indonesia

I suggest that the government establish a ministry or agency
in charge of developing locally made goods, because Indonesia's
dependence on foreign products is of great concern.

For example, several kinds of fruit formerly flourished in
Indonesia; now their seeds must be imported. Likewise, hoes and
other light agricultural tools are now imported. It is evident
that foreign products are quite dominant in the domestic market.

Should this be left as it is, we will become more dependent on
overseas products, with the result that this country will become
the world's biggest consumer of foreign products. Consequently,
Indonesia's dependence on the global capitalist system will
increase, and the slightest hike in the value of the dollar will
mean prices increases.

Why? Because equipment and basic material for manufacturing
those products is purchased in dollars.

Therefore, we must start reducing this dependency by speeding
up the development of domestic industries and creating and
developing quality local products in all fields.

The philosophy in encouraging the development of local
products should be "cheap, but not cheap and nasty". The products
must be cheaper than imported ones, but the quality must be
maintained.

To this end, the government should set up a coordinating
agency, provide incentives, issue regulations in accordance with
international law and encourage people to use local products
(like in Japan and South Korea) and so on.

Before it's too late, once more I appeal to the government,
particularly to the President and Vice President (and the House
of Representatives) to pay really serious attention to these
matters. Bung Karno's ideas on self sufficiency need to be voiced
operationally, not left as a mere political slogan.

AMIR KARAMOY

Jakarta