Ministers, businessmen to discuss GATT impact
Ministers, businessmen to discuss GATT impact
JAKARTA (JP): A number of ministers and high ranking officials
will hold a two-day dialog next week with executives of business
associations. Strategies in facing the impact of the
implementation of the new General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT) will be discussed.
Sri Mulyono Herlambang, the organizer of the meeting, told
reporters in a press conference yesterday that Minister of Trade
Satrio B. Joedono, Minister of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo, Minister
of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya,
State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo and timber
tycoon Muhammad (Bob) Hasan have confirmed participation in the
dialog on July 20 and July 21.
"It is significant because GATT itself is very important for
our future," Mulyono said, adding that executives of some 200
associations will attend the dialog at the Shangri-la Hotel here.
Rosita S. Noer, the coordinator of the dialog, said some
associations, such as the Indonesian National Air Carrier
Association, the Indonesian Forestry Community, the Indonesian
Fashion Designers Association and the Association of Indonesian
Oleo Chemical Companies, have initiated the meeting.
Some business people, including M.B. Nawawi, Poppy Dharsono,
Dolf Latumahina, Wisnu H. Krestowo and Elias L. Tobing, also
attended yesterday's press conference and briefed reporters about
the new GATT principles, which will be implemented early next
year.
Analysts said that those conducting the meeting are people who
used to chair the leadership of the Indonesian Chamber of
Commerce and Industries (Kadin).
Labor
Despite trade and tariff issues, Rosita said that the
organizer will also make labor rights and environmental matters
part of the agenda.
"Cheap labor is no longer comparative advantages for us. Labor
disputes, sooner or later, will be the interest of the global
community. Therefore, we should cut the high cost economy but not
at the cost of our laborers. Let's talk about it," she said.
Poppy, a photo model-turned-businesswoman, said the Indonesian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs should also reduce its interest over
political affairs and put a little more energy on international
business and trade affairs.
Citing an example, she said the ministry has never discussed
the Malaysian government's protectionism of its batik industry.
"Such protection is surely against the spirit of freer trade,
and in this case, the implementation of GATT," the fashion
designer added.
An official of the organizer said that between 500 and 600
business leaders will participate in the national dialog. (09)