Kadin aims to boost role of businesses

Zakki P. Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) celebrated its 36th anniversary on Friday, during which it vowed to boost the role of the corporate sector to make it the locomotive of the country's economic growth.

Kadin chairman Mohamad S. Hidayat said in a speech that he hoped the powerful business lobby could become more effective in facilitating business initiatives as a measure to establish an "Indonesian entrepreneur society".

"Kadin, as a partner to the government in national development, has come to play a key role in the contribution and development of the private sector," said Hidayat.

He went on to say that Kadin had been actively participating in designing government tax reforms, monitoring the implementation of regional autonomy and producing a road map for the development of industry and trade.

"The road map is meant to give recommendations for the next government in producing effective policies," he said.

Hidayat said the road map would be handed to the incoming president and vice president on Oct. 12. The new government is expected to be inaugurated on Oct. 20.

Kadin officials have called on the next government to take immediate measures to tackle the high cost of doing business in the country, and improving law enforcement as top priorities.

In conjunction with its anniversary celebration, Kadin is to hold the Fashion, Food and Footwear Festival (F4) on Oct. 1 to Nov. 13 in a 2,000 square meter area in Pasaraya Grande, Blok M, South Jakarta.

Participants will also take part in the Safari Kadin tour, visiting and holding bazaars in the compounds of the Indonesian Military Headquarters, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration and in the Graha Niaga and Menara Kadin buildings.

"The festival is aimed at promoting domestic products," Indonesian Food and Beverages Association (GAPMMI) executive director Thomas Darmawan said, adding that the festival also coincided with the Muslim fasting month and Idul Fitri.

Kadin is currently led by Hidayat, a property mogul who took leadership of the group in February this year. His predecessor was business mogul Aburizal Bakrie, who served two five-year terms.

Business leaders along with the government established Kadin in 1968 during the early years of Soeharto's time in power. In 1987, with the enactment of Law No. 1/1987, all businesspeople, enterprises and associations came under the auspices of Kadin.