Rahardi promises to boost exports, essensial supplies

Rahardi promises to boost exports, essensial supplies

JAKARTA (JP): Newly appointed Minister of Industry and Trade
Rahardi Ramelan said Saturday that boosting exports and
maintaining a smooth supply of essential goods would be his top
priorities.

"Exports and the supply of essentials are the two most
pressing problems to be taken care of right now," Rahardi said
after the handover ceremony of the ministerial post from his
predecessor Mohamad "Bob" Hasan on Saturday.

The ministry will work with other ministries such as the
forestry and plantations ministry and the finance ministry to
ensure the supply of basic essentials, including food, medicines
and medical equipments, he said.

Rahardi said the country's exports had suffered from
deteriorated confidence of international communities and
declining competitiveness due to producers' dependency on
imported materials.

The former state minister of research and technology said he
would resolve problems regarding letters of credit issued by
local banks which had increasingly been rejected by international
banks.

"We are still at the initial point of reform; economic
recovery can only be achieved when we have a more supporting
environment," he said.

Political tension which rose sharply in the last week and
resulted in the resignation of president Soeharto on Thursday had
affected the rupiah's value again, he said.

This in turn also affected the rating of Indonesian banks,
further worsening the country's credibility, he said.

Rahardi, who is also former chairman of the Agency for the
Assessment and Application of Technology, said he would ensure
there was a healthy competitive environment, especially after an
antimonopoly law had been issued.

"The most important thing is that there will be no vast
accumulated wealth in one hand, neither horizontally or
vertically," he said.

He said he would take firm action against any officials in the
industry and trade ministry who were found guilty of graft
practices such as collusion, corruption and nepotism.

Rahardi called on journalists to give input or any criticism
either to him or through the five director generals who work
under him.

He said all the director generals were free to talk to the
press because they were knowledgeable in their fields.

Many high-ranking ministry officials in Indonesia are often
difficult for journalists to approach because they would rather
avoid making a statement that conflicts with anything said by
their superiors.

Also at yesterday's ceremony, former minister Hasan said he
was sure that Rahardi would do a better job than him.

"He is smarter and more qualified than I am," the
controversial Hasan said in a brief speech.

Hasan, a timber tycoon and long-term buddy of Soeharto, said
he would not return to his business, which he gave up when he
took up the ministerial post in March.

"I am going back to manage the athletic organization, I'm
still the president of the Asian Athletic Federation," he said,
adding that his business was being taken care of by younger
people.

Hasan said he would continue to participate in the Dharmais
and Supersemar charities headed by Soeharto.

Bob said he had not met with the former president, who ruled
the country for 32 years, since Soeharto resigned Thursday and
handed his job to his then vice president B.J. Habibie. (das)