Monday, 2 December 2013

BUSINESS PEOPLE URGE GOVERNMENT TO BUILD INFRSTRUCTURE



Business players stated that industrial competitiveness was absolutely indispensable in the effort to win in Asean and global business competition. Therefore, the ever disheartening and competitiveness-paralyzing problem be tackled soonest. Inneffective logistics handling made national industry lose competition. Last year the World bank placed Indonesia’s competitiveness in logistics in 55th position among 155 countries, a position way below Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. World Economic Forum this year positioned Indonesia in 38th position among 144 countries, moving up from 50th position in 2012.

The Indonesian Textile Product Association [API] urged the Government to reform infra-structure to improve logistics and transportation of TPT products. Chairman of API Ade Sudradjat disclosed in Jakarta on Thursday [7/11] said, in the past 5 years the textile industry was in distress in terms logistics. Poor infra-structure made journeys longer and therefore less competitive. “Logistics is burden to us so we urge the Government to develop infra-structure” Ade remarked.

Ade disclosed that logistics transportation had always been relying on land transportation like trucks or container trailers. Ade said that railway might pose as goods alternative solution. Ade regretted that container train terminals which should be packed with transporting schedule as in developed countries were turning idle. Ade said that infra structure development was most needed “because we would be facing challenges in MEA in 2015. Now other Asean states are enhancing high efficiency in logistics management.”

Ade also rated that the dynamics of economy today posed as pressure to national competitiveness in TPT industry in the world’s market. Industry players were forced to think hard in order to survive especially toward MEA 2015. In maximizing performance the Government was called to be responsive to challenges and be fully strategic. API rated that consolidation by the Government in logistics matters was not enough compared to other competing nations.

Ade said that supposedly Indonesia as a maritime country prepared an armada of ships which were seaworthy to undertake logistics tasks. API showed as an example building of the Cilamaya harbor must be spurred on to speed up transportation process for TPT products. Meanwhile bumper industries using garment wastage as raw material would increase national product ion output to calm down market restlessness at home, when local industries ran short of imported raw materials.

The same opinion was expressed by logistics operators. They urged the government to immediately develop infra-structure for logistics in Centra Jave to anticipate relocation of TPT industry from Greater Jakarta. Chairman of Indonesian Logistics Association Zaldy Mashita stated that the condition of infra-structure in Central Java for land and sea transportation was still inadequate.

Besides, the number of warehouses in Central Java was rated as not enough to accommodate exodus of industries from Greater Jakarta. A condition as such, Zaldy said would make relocated industries from Jabodetabek inefficient uncompetitive. 

Business News - November 13, 2013

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