HIPMI ASKS GOVT TO BRIDGE BANKING-REAL SECTOR GAP

Jakarta, March 2 (ANTARA) - The Young Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) has asked the government to act as a bridge between the real business sector and the banking industry.

In his address opening HIMPI's 14th national working conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel here on Tuesday, HIPMI chairman Erwin Aksa expressed hope that the government and banking world would be more responsive to the aspirations of the real sector.

"It is our hope that the government will be able to bridge the gap between the banking industry and business players in the real sector," Erwin Aksa said.

He asked the government to create synergy between the financial and real sectors, especially in the extension of bank credit at lower interest rates.

Erwin said the amount of bank credits being extended to the real sector so far was very small.

In response to HIPMI's request, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who was present to open the conference said the government would continue to communicate with the banking world to provide business players with more funds.

The president said the central and regional governments would continue to facilitate the business sector and create the preconditions needed to develop it.

"We don't want our economic development to move in an unhealthy direction, and together we have to counter the development of an oligarchic culture and prevent unnecessary collisions," the president said.