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)