"Let us not make other countries richer. That will only put our position in danger. We must act, we must be smarter," he said
Pontianak, West Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan called on the people to not consume too many imported products as it would only make other countries richer.

"Let us not make other countries richer. That will only put our position in danger. We must act, we must be smarter," he said in his advice in a lecture before students and lecturers of Tanjungpura University here on Friday.

He also reminded that many imported products that people usually bought were found to be unhealthy or hazardous referring among other things to toys which could also injure children and fruits that contain pesticide and formaldehyde.

"We indeed often like to buy cheap products or foods that could make us full without considering whether the products could have a negative effect on us," he said.

The minister said the government has declared April 20 as the National Consumers Day to reduce the use of imported products.

He said Indonesia could learn from South Korea with regard to that saying that South Korea has now been able to produce various kinds of top electronic goods such as Samsung and LG products.

"I hope that would inspire us to create. It must never happen that later we will bathe using a Samsung soap or use Samsung makeup powder or other products," he said.

Regarding the country`s total volume of trade the minister said that now it has reached US$390 billion with exports reaching a little above US$190 billion and imports more than US$190 billion. "So we have bought more products from abroad," he added.

The minister said right now what happened in other parts of the world could affect Indonesia and even Pontianak and 17,000 other islands in the country.

Citing an example he referred to the drop by four percent in the share price of the Manchester United, the football club, after its coach Alex Ferguson resigned recently.

On Indonesia`s stance towards future competition the minister said that the country would increase the 35 percent portion of exports of value-added products through industrialization.

"South Korea has done it since 1960s. It has increased exports of Galaxi Samsung and LG," he said adding that it the future it would also increase exports of `soaps" drawing laughs from the audience.

He said five years ago the Indonesian people did not imagine that there would be Samsung products that had now become very popular in the country.

The minister added the production cost of a South Korean Iphone is only US$10 or Rp100,000 but it is later sold in Indonesia up to Rp8 million.

In cooperation with other companies South Korea could also sell Apple products (computer) up to US$400 across the world while its production cost is only at US$10 each, he said.

In view of that Gita said what is important for Indonesia now is how it could innovate. "Start thinking for 20 years ahead to increase the GDP," he said.

He believed Indonesian people could also produce innovative products which are not inferior to those of other countries.

Regarding his office he said it has a task balancing the country`s exports and imports.

"To maintain 65 percent of total exports. We must be able to buy Iphone sold at US$400 at only US$390 while at the same time encourage people to innovate and gain the US$390," he said. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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