Large groups promise partnership with small-medium enterprises

JAKARTA (JP): Fifty large Indonesian business groups have voiced their readiness to join the so-called Jimbaran Club in fostering partnerships with small and medium enterprises, Minister of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya said.

"The owners of the 50 groups have wanted to meet us to talk about partnerships. We will examine their ability and commitment towards nurturing small businesses," Subiakto said after attending Monday's ministerial coordination meeting.

Subiakto declined to disclose the names of the 50 groups which want help develop small businesses and cooperatives, saying he would reveal their identities only after they had made significant commitments.

The Jimbaran Club currently comprises of more than 40 large business groups, including the Astra, Bakrie, Barito, Ciputra, Dharmala, Djajanti, Gemala, Humpuss, Lippo, Napan, Salim, Soedarpo and Sandratex groups.

In an informal meeting in Jimbaran, Bali, last year, the groups pledged their commitment towards helping small businesses through various programs, including partnerships, worth Rp 2.9 trillion (US$1.23 billion).

Subiakto said the realization of those commitments has been too slow because "some executives of business groups involved in Jimbaran have not yet attended Pancasila workshops".

He announced that the government was planning to hold a workshop on Pancasila -- Indonesia's five guiding philosophical principles -- for executives of Jimbaran's business groups to facilitate the implementation of their partnership commitments.

The government has already conducted similar activities for business leaders involved in the Jimbaran Club. (rid)