Indonesia calls for public-private partnership in Asia-Pacific region

Indonesia on Saturday asked for partnership between government and private sector in the Asia- Pacific region in a bid to speed up regional economic development.

Indonesian President Susilo Bamabang Yudhoyono made the remarks in his opening speech of the third Asia-Pacific Business Forum on the sideline of the 62nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) to be held here from April 6 to 12.

The president called the member countries to start discussion on public-private partnership investment at the regional level.

"I invite everyone present here today to begin exploring ways of establishing solid partnerships between the governments of the region and all the private sectors of the region," he said in front of business leaders, head of states and delegates of the UNESCAP.

The president said that partnership could operate on the broad spectrum of development activities, which varied greatly from country to country.

"What we can therefore do is to exchange experience and perspective, so each country may be able to decide the kind of public-private partnership that is best for its each situation," he said.

The president said that cooperation gravitated toward large- scale and capital-intensive undertakings, but a good case could be made for small endeavor, especially those in rural areas.

"During the 1997-1998 Asian Crisis, our micro, small and medium enterprises proved more resilient than many big corporations, they helped revive Indonesia's devastated economy," said Susilo.

The president said that by forming close and mutually beneficial cooperation with micro, small and medium enterprises, the countries in the region could reach their Millennium Development Goals.

He said that Indonesia had taken three major policy initiatives to promote the business sectors, including setting up strongly legal basis for reducing uncertainty, eliminating major regulatory barrier that discouraged free competition and establishing market- based pricing policy.

The current UNESCAP session, entitled "Enhancing Cooperation in Infrastructure Development, was attended by some 600 delegates from 62 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: Xinhua