Surmounting disparities

The Bali Declaration made public on Aug. 27 contains the views and hopes of our big entrepreneurs. Through it we will hopefully be able to realize the conglomerates' potential to promote the growth of economic democracy in accordance with Article 33 of our Constitution.

We can also ask to what extent the Bali Declaration will help overcome the existing social and economic disparities.

We very much hope that a mechanism can be devised to accomplish a more equal distribution of business opportunities. As the Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications, Joop Ave, told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday, businesses cannot be expected to react to appeals but must be managed in order to create a mechanism. On that same occasion a director of Bakrie Brothers, Tanri Abeng, emphasized that in order to help small- scale businesses surmount social disparities, capital is not the only factor -- an equalization of opportunities and upgrading of managerial capabilities is also necessary.

-- Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta