Small businesses help economy

Small businesses help economy

From Suara Karya

Small and medium-scale businesses (UKM), which constitute 94 percent of Indonesia's business activities, should be reactivated to boost the economy and income of the majority, as well as to provide new job opportunities.

Therefore, UKMs need to prepare themselves, in terms of capital and skilled human resources, so as to better guarantee their business continuity as the basis of the country's people- based economy

The distribution of financial aid from relevant agencies to UKM units has so far often failed to reach the targets, while the process involves much red tape. Consequently, the aid channeled has not yet jacked up the operation of UKMs and their subsequent contribution to society.

Such funds should ideally be distributed in a transparent way, free from corruption, collusion and nepotism. In this manner, UKMs would be revived, to enable them to compete in the global economy. Globalization demands that UKMs be developed into a reliable foundation of the people-based economy to face the world free trade era starting in 2005.

ANDI SYAMSUDDIN Bulukumba, South Sulawesi