"I believe we can. This way, I believe the national economy will grow at a faster pace," the president stated while opening a limited meeting on EODB here on Wednesday.
He instructed all relevant agencies to take comprehensive and corrective steps to create EODB. The steps include simplifying the procedure of applying for building construction permits, property registration, electricity connections, tax payments, crossborder trade, access to banking loans, protection of minor investors, and settlement of bankruptcy.
The president said he had evaluated the performance of his ranks and files at the central and regional levels every week, month, quarter, and semester.
"If corrective steps are taken slowly, I will issue (a warning)," he affirmed.
He emphasized that some of the aspects of the EODB, including building construction permits, tax payments, electricity connections, and access to banking loans, have shown improvements in their ratings.
However, the aspects of EODB including starting business, crossborder trade, protection of minor investors, and settlement of bankruptcy have suffered a setback, he pointed out.
The measure is not merely aimed at improving the ratings in a survey of the EODB, he noted.
"But, we must focus on concrete improvements, so that business agents and investors can feel its impact," he stated.
To ensure that the economy grows at a faster pace, the president said he would continue to monitor the corrective steps taken by ministries/governmental institutions and the progress achieved as a result.
Indonesia is lagging far behind other ASEAN member states in terms of EODB.
In 2016, Indonesia ranks 109th among 189 countries surveyed for EODB. Meanwhile, Singapore ranks first, Malaysia 18th, Thailand 49th, Brunei Darussalam 84th, Vietnam 90th, and the Philippines 103rd.
Indonesia ranked 120th in terms of EODB last year. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
