Task force formed to help businesses

Task force formed to help businesses

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto set up a special task force
of three businessmen yesterday to represent the private sector in
consultations with the government about ways of coping with the
current economic crisis.

The task force, headed by former coordinating minister for
economy and finance Radius Prawiro, includes Anthony Salim, the
chief executive officer of the Salim Group, The Nin King,
chairman of the Argo Manunggal Group, and Rachmat Gobel, chief of
the Gobel electronics group.

The announcement was announced at a meeting between the
President and 57 business leaders.

"I have assigned Radius Prawiro to be a liaison with the
business representatives on consultations with the government,"
Soeharto said.

The President said Radius, with decades of experience in the
cabinet and proven negotiations ability and international
reputation, would also be able to help businesspeople in
negotiations with domestic and foreign creditors about solutions
to their financial problems.

He said Radius and the task force would represent
businesspeople in consultations with the President and related
ministers about problems encountered or suggestions they might
have regarding solutions to the economic problems.

The President declined to give a direct response to
suggestions by businessmen Sofjan Wanandi, chairman of the Gemala
Group, and Sukamdani S. Gitosardjono, chairman of the Sahid
Group, that a permanent business council be set up under the
auspices of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(Kadin).

"True, Kadin is the institutional representative of the
private sector in consultations with the government, but some
correction is perhaps necessary to expedite consultations with
the government," Soeharto added.

In responding to another suggestion from Sofjan that Radius be
assisted by former ministers, such as Arifin M. Siregar, Ali
Wardhana and Widjojo Nitisastro, the President said it would
depend on Radius and the three-member task force to decide on the
matter. (prb/vin)