Indonesia embarks on major economic census
Indonesia embarks on major economic census
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto last night launched a nation-
wide economic census, starting today, to encompass all sectors
except agriculture.
Soeharto said in a televised speech that the census aimed to
collect complete and accurate economic data which is needed for
the planning, implementation and supervision of development.
"It is very important to have statistics about our economic
strength in preparing ourselves for an open global economy and
free trade," he said.
He explained that the census will target all legal business
entities in Indonesia, including foreign companies. The informal
sectors, which include small-scale businesses without licenses,
will also be surveyed, but randomly.
The President said that the census would also examine small,
middle and large businesses as well as their sectors and
absorption levels of labor force.
"Information about small enterprises is badly needed for
nurturing them and reducing our economic gaps," Soeharto said.
He added that the results of the census would also be used to
evaluate the level of production efficiency of enterprises and
their export roles and to map out the possible level of raw
materials they need.
The results of the census could also be used for specific
business purposes, such as diversifications of businesses,
marketing of products and promotion, Soeharto said.
The 1996 economic census is the second economic survey to be
conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics to date. The first
economic census was held in 1986.
The bureau's chairman, Soegito, said earlier this week that
his office would need at least Rp 200 billion (US$87.1 million)
in state funds to finance the nation-wide census.
Soegito said that the government had earmarked Rp 63.4 billion
for data collection in the current state budget, which ends in
March.
He said the census would cover mining activities, power
generation, manufacturing, construction, retailers and
wholesalers, among other things. Service activities related to
transportation, finance, accommodation and restaurants will also
be a target of the census.
Data will be collected in all parts of the country starting
today until the end of next month in cooperation with provincial
administrations. The outcome of the survey will be published in
February 1997.
Soegito noted that his office would deploy around 86,000
surveyors comprised of workers, teachers and students, to carry
out the census.
Soeharto appealed to businesspeople, including household
businesses, to support the census and to give correct data to the
bureau's surveyors. (rid)