The Ministry of Industry was determined to reform the national service
industry in line with the ASEAN Economic Community [AEC] which would be
effective by December 2015. In AEC, the service sector would be liberalized,
meaning workers of Asean nations could be free to interchange locations. The
Government must reform the service sector, if Indonesia workers were to compete
against workers of other Asean nations. “We will be facing tight competition
against other Asean countries. For that matter it is important for us to
consolidate in the service sector” Agus Tjahjana, Director General of the
International Industrial Cooperation, Ministry of Industry stated in Jakarta on
Monday [8/7].
Agus rated that the service sector played an important role in National economy.
In 2009, the contribution to national GDP was posted at 45%. He mentioned that
there were four possible mode in liberalization execution. Firstly, Mode I was
cross-border trade, i.e. liberalization which was not followed by movement of
workers or related business. Secondly, Mode II was consumption abroad, i.e.
liberalization followed by moving of consumers to the origin of service sources
to benefit from related service.
Thirdly, mode III was commercial presence, i.e. liberalization followed
by the service-provider’s step to approach buyers of other countries. Fourthly,
mode IV was movement of natural persons which means liberalization followed by
moving of workers of the related service sector to another country.
According to Agus, based on ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services
[AFAS], in 2010 liberalization was targeted to encompass 80 subsectors.
However, the target which was part of AFAS 8 was not attained until 2012.
Today, he said, ASEAN nations were dissecting AFAS 9 with target to liberate 140
sub sectors. Furthermore by 2015 128 subsectors were targeted to be
liberalized; this point was included in AFAS 10.
Agus said that he was mapping out strength and weaknesses of national
industry. He said that the Government was observing development of labor in
Thailand and the Philippines. The point was that the two countries had well
established training system. In Thailand, he said, even welders were obliged to
command the Indonesia language.
Agus disclosed that it was necessary to run a liberalization policy
which was clear, focused, and integrated. The Government had prepared some
measures to realize the objectives. For example, strengthening of the
engineering sector by solidifying professional associations, making
infra-structure oriented regulations, and setting up standard of competence in
industry.
Besides being engaged in collaboration with ASEAN toward AEC 2015,
Indonesia also was engaged in bilateral collaboration with India. Deputy
Chairman of KADIN in Trading, Distribution and Logistics, Natris Mansur
believed that Indonesia would not be disadvantaged by the liberalization
agreement between ASEAN and India. Indonesia could not escape liberalization.
According to Natsir, of nine service sectors to be opened, only the IT
sector was under threat, because in this sector India was superior to Indonesia
and it was difficult for Indonesia to play catch up with India.
In case of other 8 sectors, i.e. business, R&D, education, maritime,
and transportations, telecommunication, construction and technique, finance
[non-bank], air transport, tourism and related service, Natris was confident
that India would not outsmart Indonesia because so far trade balance between
India and Indonesia in these sectors were still surpus on Indonesia’s side.
“Meaning, penetration by India’s industrial players would not threaten the
domestic industry in the eight sectors” Natsir said. (SS)
Business News - July 12,2013
No comments:
Post a Comment