Surviving through Globalizing
by : Kristiono Mastion
Current employer of Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ,Ltd - Jakarta branch
Above phrase I took from recent report from one of the world’s leading news television. The feature was elaborating how the recent yen appreciation had suffered Japanese giant manufacturer. Japanese business which heavily rely on export sales face challenging situation because surging yen weigh down their products competitiveness. Panasonic, Sony, and Sharp become way more expensive than LG and Samsung of South Korea, two Japanese brand’s most hostile competitors.
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As such, current circumstances forced Japanese business leader to shift their manufacturing operation out from Japan. Many of them see the potential of India, China, and ASEAN countries including Indonesia as ideal destination.
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Situated between Asian Dragon of China and Bengal Tiger of India, Indonesia is definitely having characters attributable to be the winner i.e. sufficient source of worker, abundance reserves of natural resources, as well as huge consumer population. Those are at least the phrase we would easily spot in many publications, highlighting our country potential to be crowned as most wanted investor destination.
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Whilst it is true that above three are the reasons of Indonesia’s attractiveness in the eye of investors, there laid hidden flaws. What are they? How could young generation improve the situation?
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Substantial supply of work force
The huge number of young population guarantees sustainable supply of productive work force. Well, this is a good thing, however as Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) implied on their website
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“Indonesia is the 4th most populous country in the world. Of the 240 million people, over 50% of the population is under 29 years old. This provide for dynamic labor market participation, growing at 2.3 million per year. Labor costs in Indonesia are the lowest among the 10 ASEAN countries, even compared to urban centers of investment magnets, China and India.”
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It’s clearly stated by our official agency, that our human resources strength up to this time is mere lied on the quantity not quality. Thus, let we embrace a lifestyle in which we continuously develop our competencies up to par level with the world talent. Thus we could revive the image of Indonesia worker not for its cheapness and quantity but for its excellence and quality.
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Abundance natural resources
Thanks to the Almighty GOD, our mother nature, the chains of island from Sabang to Merauke , been granted with vast kind of precious metals, oil and gas reserves, as well as biodiversity of floras and faunas.
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Many of mineral resources are no longer our possession though; they are beyond our control already. Our father, having lack of technological and financial means, has surrendered reserves management to hand of few foreign parties. As result, profit derived from the utilization of country’s richness has gone away mostly to fill foreigner pocket.
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Since we cannot ask back to what already gone, we can always start a new beginning. As we develop our capacity, hopefully we can better collaborate with foreign parties. We still need their monies indeed, but we shall utilize our own mind to add value. Thus, enable us to secure more profit shares for the betterment of our people.
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Sizeable potential consumer
We got the sizeable population to propel consumerism and boosting economic growth. In 2010, there is 233 millions of Indonesian which predicted to rise up to 288 million by 2050. Currently ranks 50th with a 2010 real per capita income level of $ 4.362; there is plenty Indonesia’s consumer could promise.
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Unfortunately, when it comes to preferences, most Indonesian referring to foreign brand instead of goods made in Indonesia. Here is intriguing tweets from one of my fellows:
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“RT How expensive are your Prada wallets and LV bags? Take a look. They might have been manufactured in your own country, and then branded abroad”
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Well, personally never engaged with such high end brands, to some extent I opined above statement are true. Many high quality apparel products which are manufactured in Indonesia will end up exported with low price and sold with skyscraping price. Foreigner is genius. They tag product with famous brand and attach it with the image of world-class athletes, to pick some name are Roger Federer or Maria Sharapova. Are those business model advantages our domestic labor? Certainly, NOT!
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On the other hand, we also got various quality SME products; they are unique, high artistic and economic value. However, they are not in the heart in our consumer yet. What’s missing here? It’s because lack of promotion, when it comes to selling something promotion is a must.
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Again, younger generation must take part to wide-open general consumer’s eyes towards SME products. Start wear SME products, make it trend. So does when it comes to traveling, spend our money domestically, explore the beauty of natural landscape and cultural heritage across the country. Thus releasing stress while empowering local people.
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Above mention opinion is alternative for us, Indonesia young generation, to deliver more with less. Our lifestyle could bring significant impact leveraging our nation to gain its deserved status as respected global player. Finally since we are welcoming the 66th commemoration of independence, I would like to deliberately say “Hail Indonesia!”
