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