No Longer Walking, Were Running

I met an old man in a coffee shop in Broadway, London. I thought he was a chinese, but when he saw my Damn I Love Indonesia t-shirt, he called me up Hi Indonesia, come join me. He was a tourist form Thailand. He said to me that hed been following all the good news from Indonesia published by international media. You are so lucky. While Thailand is fading, Indonesia is running fast he added. I responded by saying that Thailand is recovering so fast after the political turmoil in the last 5 years, and itd soon regain its long awaited sound economic guard. He smiled and said Thank you, you are an optimistic young man. Well, I am.

Thailand, had been the sweetheart of many investors since back in late 80s, tourists had been flooding in, investmenthad been really significant, and the characteristic of Thai people really helpedit to make Thailand one of East Asias miracle.Thailand isthe Detroit ofSoutheast Asia, the largest car producer in the region, its export level surged exponentially in the last decade. Its GDP wasonce so close to Southeast Asias largest economy, Indonesia. Now, its less than half of the later GDP. What happened? I am not too sure. I am sure, the Thai tourist i met at NY also had no answer.

Astra, Indonesia's largest car producer

But really, Indonesia has begun to run now, no longer walking. Its unevitably one of intl investors most dearing country. While Indias economy is overheating, inflation is close to 10%, Indonesia is relatively way better under-control. Its modest growth has helped it avoiding the same situation India currently suffers from.

Indonesia is demonstrably one of the worlds rising economic powers, and has now set the target of shifting up a gear to become one of its very biggest in less than a generation. Lets wait..

Akhy ari Hananto

(to be continued)