I predict Indonesia will become the ASEAN automotive center."Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - The ASEAN free market is like rain which will bring not only advantage but also disadvantage if it is not managed properly, a cabinet minister said.
"People usually shut the door when it is raining but rain also brings land fertility. Regarding the free market, I think it will benefit Indonesia," Trade minister Muhammad Lutfi said here on Monday.
The Indonesian government has taken concrete steps in the face of the ASEAN free market that will begin next year.
Indonesia sis now formulating quality standards for all goods and services that will enter Indonesia or be exported.
"All this will need time and process, yet, on time, there will be standards for goods and services that will enter Indonesia or exported to other ASEAN member nations" the trade minister said.
The minister pointed out that one of the sectors that would have a good opportunity for Indonesia is the automotive sector.
This is because Indonesia has a large number of population which is estimated at 240 million.
"I predict Indonesia will become the ASEAN automotive center," Muhammad Lutfi said.
Regarding natural disasters such as Mount Keluds eruption which is feared to affect seasoning products such as chili and onions, he said it would not have impact of national scale.
The onion and chili areas which were exposed to the hot materials of the MT eruption was only about 17 to 20 percent.
"At the same time, farmers in West Java are also harvesting their chili and onion crops," the trade minister said.
(Uu.A014/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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