Textile investors flee Bandung

Textile investors flee Bandung

BANDUNG: At least five foreign textile investors have closed
down their businesses here this year due to chaotic
implementation of regional autonomy, the secretary of the
Indonesian Textile Association (API) in West Java Ade Sudradjat
claimed.

"Those investors from Korea and Taiwan pulled out their
capital due to the fact that the conditions were no longer
conducive," Ade said on Monday.

Constant mass protests by locals and workers along with
excessive levies and taxes imposed by the local government under
regional autonomy have contributed to the investors' withdrawal,
he added.

There are some 80 textile factories in the Bandung area and
the last factory closure took place in Rancaekek two weeks ago.

"In many cases, residents living near the factory have blindly
demanded that only locals be permitted to work in the factory and
they drove all migrant workers away. This is crazy," he charged.

People must realize that running a business is not charity
work, he said.

"The factory cannot just hire locals. There must be certain
standards and qualifications. The local administration also has
to encourage more investors instead of pushing them away by
imposing too many taxes," Ade added. (25/edt)