Indonesia Can Be Developed Into A New Economic Giant: Gita

Jakarta, March 12 (Antara) - Indonesia had 150 million young people who had the potential to shake the world and develop Indonesia into a new economic giant, a former trade minister said. "I believe hard work will be more effective than words in raising the spirit of the young people and to make them think, move progressively and professional leaders in different fields," former trade minister Gita Wirjawan said here on Wednesday. Gita Wirjawan, who is one of the 11 participants of the ruling Democratic Party (PD) Presidential Candidates Convention, said of the 240 million population about 150 million were from the younger generation, who have that qualification. He noted that these young people could show to the world Indonesia`s ability to advance. The country has millions of talented youths who have the skills and creativity, including in the national political stage. "With this potential, Indonesia`s position in the world`s geopolitical arena will become larger. Indonesia is the world`s 15th largest economy, the third-largest democracy and the fourth-largest populous country," he pointed out. According to Gita, Indonesia`s young people displayed an important progressive characteristic, they felt they could compete with everyone and did not consider themselves inferior. "The coming democracy festivities this year are the best stage for the young people to showcase a young leadership and to reinforce the relevance of Indonesia`s position in the world`s geopolitical map," he noted. Gita had previously referred to small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs), which he said served as the anchor of the country`s national economy in facing a global financial crisis and free markets. "When major companies went bankrupt amid the economic crisis, SMEs were able to survive and served as the anchor of our economy," Gita said in his electronic message to Antara on Sunday. Gita made the remarks while in a discussion with hundreds of SMEs in Cilegon, Banten. "It is a fact that SMEs were able to survive at the time of economic crisis. They stood strong against the crisis," he added. He said the SMEs, a total of 57 million people, could serve as a strong force to advance the national economy. "Unfortunately, and this should get attention, only 22 million of them or 40 percent had access to funding sources," the former minister said. Therefore, he noted that to maximize their roles, SMEs must be assisted so that their access to funding sources improved. This would make them more advanced and competitive. So, they would not only be strong in the face of a domestic economic crisis, but also during a global one. Gita Wirjawan is one of the 11 candidates who are competing in the PD presidential candidate convention. They are competing to be chosen as the presidential candidate of the ruling Democrat Party. The eleven figures are former army chief of staff retired general Pramono Edhie Wibowo, who is also President Yudhoyono`s brother in law; Irman Gusman, the chairman of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD); Gita Wirjawan, former trade minister; Ali Masykur Musa, member of the State Audit Board (BPK); Anies Bswedan, the rector of Paramadina University; Dahlan Iskan, current minister of state enterprises; Dino Patti Djalal, former Indonesian ambassador to the United States; Endriartono Sutarto, former defense forces commander; Hayono Isman, former minister; Marzuki Alie, current house speaker and Sinyo Haris Sarundajang, current governor of North Sulawesi.