Soeharto stresses business partnership

Soeharto stresses business partnership

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto yesterday stressed the
importance of partnerships between small and big companies to
develop the industrial sector.

The President said big and small companies could not survive
or develop fruitfully without helping each other.

Industrial development could only succeed if all its
components joined hands, he said.

"Large companies often become more efficient if they have
small and medium companies as their partners and raw material
suppliers," he said while presenting Upakarti awards.

The awards were given to 67 individuals, institutions and
companies that were considered outstanding in developing small
companies and home industries.

The awards were also given to regents and mayors who were
dedicated to developing small enterprises and home industries.

The President said the relationship between small and medium
companies and their larger counterparts should be based on
interdependency and mutual benefit.

"For this reason, it is only natural that large businesses
which helped small and medium enterprises through partnership
deals accept Upakarti awards as well," he said.

Soeharto said that in the First Five-Year Development Plan,
which started in 1969, the industrial sector contributed only 10
percent to gross domestic product.

Last year the figure more than doubled to almost 25 percent.

"This means our economic structure is becoming stronger. The
rapid development of the industrial sector is partly the result
of the growth of small-scale and home industries across the
country," he said.

In the last three years, more than 100,000 small enterprises
have begun, providing jobs to almost 870,000 workers.

Small and home industries exported more than US$2 billion
worth of products last year.

"What is more impressive is that some of these small
industries have already obtained ISO 9000 certificates (for
quality management)," Soeharto said.

He urged businessmen at yesterday's ceremony to make a
detailed assessment of international agreements and commitments,
such as those within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations,
the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the World Trade
Organization.

"Assessments are needed so that businesses can use every
opportunity in the market," he said.

"We have to know what the market wants and observe the
industrial development of other countries which may become our
competitors," he said. (pwn)