ANTARA - Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo has expressed optimism that people in his province were ready to face the implementation of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement as of January 1, 2010.
But he also said the government would continue to follow developments in other countries' trade sectors.
"We are still able to face the free trade agreement but we should remain on guard because ASEAN and other countries keep moving forward and therefore we also have to do so and there is no need to panic," Bibit said after attending a function to transfer the position of Military Academy governor from Maj Gen Sabar Yudo Suroso to Brig Gen Gatot Nurmantyo in Magelang on Wednesday.
He said the free trade system should be faced through synergy among various interested parties in relation with people's empowerment.
In addition, the governor said, the quality and quantity of the products, especially from local small and micro businesses (UKMs) should be raised.
He said UKMs had grown well in the local community, and therefore "the quality and quantity should be maintained in order to be saleable overseas."
The governor expressed hope that the banking sector would remain consistent and committed to giving capital assistance to UKMs.
Bibit also said it was important for the central government to control the entry of various imported goods, especially those that could have a negative impact on domestic products such as agricultural goods, handicrafts, textile, and batik. s
