"There needs to be a shift in mindset in the way we respond to the ASEAN Economic Community and the change is from viewing it as an opportunity rather than a threat," he noted in a press release received here, Tuesday.
Petranto made the statement during the "Utilization of Indonesia Demographic Bonus in the Era of the ASEAN Economic Community 2025" event held in Bandung, Tuesday.
The event was organized by the Ministrys Directorate of ASEAN Economic Cooperation in partnership with the Pasundan University Center for ASEAN Studies.
The event involved over 130 participants comprising students and representatives of manpower associations in Bandung, West Java.
Petranto stated that the event is aimed at increasing the understanding of all academicians in Bandung regarding the ASEAN Economic Community.
Furthermore, the activity also aims to gather feedback and inputs from all stakeholders and the general public on the ASEAN Economic Community in order to ensure that Indonesias interests are fully met under the framework.
"This is important to place the public in the midst of a constructive and sustainable discourse, as a form of materialization of ASEAN for the people," he noted.
During the event, Mayor of Bandungs Assistant for Economy and City Development Iming Ahmad expressed hope that the forum would lead to innovative policy recommendations to make Indonesias workforce more competitive in future.
To this end, he said the local government had laid down several policies that favor the creation of businesses and support the increase in the number of professions, with the hopes of improving the added value of the Indonesian workforce.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
