Jakarta | The House of Representatives Commission VI (DPR RI) has urged the Indonesian government to immediately formulate a cooperation plan with the European Union in the field of cooperatives and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
According to the Chairman of Commission VI DPR RI, Achmad Hafisz Tohir, the European Union has a long history of successful cooperatives and MSMEs that have improved the welfare of their members and participants.
"Therefore, the government must be able to empower cooperatives and MSMEs so they can grow and develop, thereby absorbing more labor and increasing competitiveness, especially in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)," said Achmad in a written statement, Jakarta, Thursday (4/2/2016).
Achmad revealed that Commission VI DPR RI is currently drafting a bill on state-owned enterprises (BUMN) and a bill on business competition.
On the other hand, European Union countries are known for maintaining the competitiveness of state-owned enterprises transparently while safeguarding national sovereignty. Therefore, he said, Commission VI DPR RI is interested in establishing cooperation with the European Union regarding the exchange of information on mechanisms for fostering and managing state-owned enterprise assets and fair business competition.
He stated that Indonesia's export ratio to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014 was 23.7 percent, while the European Union's export ratio to European GDP was 40.1 percent.
"This opens up opportunities for Indonesia’s exports to the European Union, particularly in the manufacturing industry, in addition to agricultural, fisheries, and plantation commodity exports," Achmad added.
In the working meeting held on Thursday, he expressed hope for input and information regarding obstacles and challenges in enhancing cooperation with the European Union, particularly in the fields of cooperatives and MSMEs, the increasing ratio of Indonesia's exports to GDP, the realization of investments involving state-owned enterprises, and the potential for maritime-based trade. (Source: Kompas)