Ambon (Antara Maluku)- Vice President Jusuf Kalla has called on Indonesians to not be intimidated by the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which will come into effect late this year.

"Many people are worried and scared of facing competition in the regional market," Kalla noted while opening the national working meeting of the Association of Provincial Administration Across Indonesia (APPSI), here, Thursday evening.

In fact, Kalla is of the viewpoint that Indonesia will reap numerous benefits from the implementation of the ASEAN free trade.

"The implementation of the AEC, effectively starting early 2016, could have native and positive impacts. The trade opportunities will be wide open, but, on the other hand, we need cooperation to face the competition," he stated.

Indonesia must be able to produce competitive goods in terms of prices and quality, he noted.

The AEC will also provide opportunities to Indonesians to work in other countries, he remarked.

Economically, Indonesia is a middle class nation and placed above Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, but below Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Indonesia should particularly be concerned about brain drain, as its quality and capable human resources may choose to work in other countries, the vice president noted.

In preparation for the AEC, the government plans to lower bank interest rates and logistic costs by improving productivity and infrastructure and shortening bureaucratic procedures, according to Kalla.

Pewarta: Jimmy Ayal

Editor : John Nikita S


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