President Reiterates Call To Improve Licensing Procedures

Jakarta, Sept 18 (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reminded ministers and regional governments on Wednesday about the need to simplify the complicated licensing procedures, which would help attract more investors. "Let`s simplify the licensing procedures. I think no other country in the world has the kind of lengthy licensing procedures as the ones followed by Indonesia," the President stated while inaugurating a plenary cabinet session at the Presidential Office. Improving licensing procedures would facilitate investment inflows and have a positive impact on national and regional economic growth, he added. "The licensing procedures must be simplified. The more tables and doors it passes through, the greater the number of irregularities will be," the President noted. At a meeting attended by Vice President Boediono, all ministers and a number of relevant officials, the President asked for a progress report related to improving licensing procedures from the relevant agencies. The head of state noted that a number of steps needed to be taken to lift the pressure off the national economy. These steps would include maintaining economic growth at the current level through investment, keeping the inflation rate in check, preventing mass layoffs and preparing a social safety net, he said. "Irrespective of that, we should follow the steps we have decided upon. Our hands are too small and we cannot control the world. Therefore, what happens in other countries might deal a severe blow to our country. So the best thing to do is improve our economic affairs," he said.