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)