Sri Mulyani: Many Parties Responsible to Underperforming Export

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati viewed that several ministries and other parties should share the responsibility on export issues. She said that the blame should not exclusively be put on the Trade Ministry alone. 

The comment was a response to President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) statement on Indonesia’s underperforming exports compared to other ASEAN countries.

“Trade Ministry, you might be glad that I said that. I'm not the only one who was being reminded by the President, but maybe you deserve to be reminded (too),” said Sri Mulyani on Thursday, February 1.

Read: Jokowi Dissatisfied with Indonesia`s Underperforming Exports

According to Sri, export performance should be determined by a number of ministries such as the Industry Ministry, Ministry of Agriculture, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, up to regional administrations. Each ministry must synergize to produce high-quality products that can manage to compete with other countries.

Sri Mulyani said that the role of regional administrations are equally as important considering that costs in doing business are often hampered by bureaucracies from regional policies.

“To be honest, compared to other ASEAN countries, Indonesia has yet to succeed in working as a single incorporated exporter,” said Sri. She suggests that everyone must work hard, be equally busy, and work notoriously.

She also views that the current government bureaucracy has worked relentlessly as individuals but failed to reach a collective goal. “This is what is called the failure to coordinate and synergize,” said Sri Mulyani.

Previously, President Jokowi voiced his dissatisfaction towards Indonesia’s export performance.

Andita Rahma