TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of workers in Indonesia, East Java, received certification prior to the commencement of the free trade policy in 2020, or also known as the ASEAN WTO (World Trade Organization).

On Friday, June 7, 2019, Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini said that in the past few years, Surabaya City Government had anticipated the free trade policy by providing free certification for a number of workers.

"We reminded the public about the importance of a certificate to be ready in facing the free trade era," Risma said.

Seha asserted that the free trade policy, which will be implemented next year, will have a direct effect on the trade of goods and services, specifically in Surabaya.

Risma said that one of the challenges that must be faced by Surabaya is the lower number of jobs, which is one of the many effects of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, and the mandatory standardization of products.

Risma added that the Surabaya City Government had provided free certification since 2016. Preparation for certification program has even started in 2014.

"We start a few years back, for example, by giving free certification for masons and electricity engineer, and also other workers, including in applying for trademarks and patents," Risma said.

As part of the effort to support the certification program, Risma had established a special counter for intellectual property rights (IPR) registration at the Single Window Integrated Services Unit (UPTSA) at the Siola Building, Surabaya.

"I provide 150 free [IPR registration] quota and its immediately depleted. Because there are so many [applicants]," she explained.

Risma confirmed that she will add more IPR registration quota to support small-medium enterprises in Surabaya.

With their IPR registered, she believed that small-medium enterprises in Surabaya will have equal chances to compete internationally in the free trade era.

On the other hand, a number of infrastructure development in Surabaya are also being accelerated. As a result, the city had recently finished the construction of the Mayjend Sungkono underpass and the Middle East Ring Road (MERR). These new infrastructures are expected to support and provide positive effects on the growth of local economy in Surabaya.

ANTARA