Sensitive products

Sensitive products

I read with interest the report titled RI steadfast on protecting sensitive products (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 8, 1995, page 9). As far as I am concerned, Indonesia's firmness in protecting sensitive products is no surprise. Meanwhile, for most people, the policy raises a big question as to why, in this free trade era, Indonesia still wants to protect its products.

In my opinion, the realization of free trade agreements is difficult homework for Indonesian officials, since they still seek, first and foremost, to defend the "national interest". And other countries could use the same excuse. In such a case, far from achieving a free trade area, there will be a trade war instead. Thailand has also threatened to put some of its products onto the sensitive list.

The 15 products Indonesia wants to have included in the sensitive list are, among others, rice, sugar, cloves, beans, milk and wheat flour. Again, this inclusion is sought in the name of our "national interest." I wonder what is really meant by "national interest."

FANTY

Kisaran, Sumatra