7:18 PM GE (General Electric) Vice Chairman John G. Rice: We Plan Two Digit Growth in Indonesia | |
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"The world is changing very fast. To grow more rapidly outside the United States, we must change the way we think and move our center of gravity," Rice told Tempo. The former British colony was chosen because, "Its location near our most important markets in Asia and the incoming and outgoing access is easy," he added. An alumnus of Hamilton College, New York, he said in an opening of the headquarters of GE in Asia which was decided in a short time only: "Jeff (Jeffrey Immelt, GE Chairman-Ed.) And I decided just two months ago." His travels opened up many opportunities for Rice throughout his career, which according to him: "Make our growth outside the United prevented." First visit in his new position, to Indonesia took place on 24 February. Rice met a number of officials, including Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo and Head of Investment Coordinating Board Gita Wirjawan. "The opinion of government affect our strategy here. So we have to know their priorities right," he said. On the other side of his visit, he gave a special interview to reporters Tempo Hermien Y. Kleden, Sadika Hamid, Padjar Iswara, and Efri Ritonga. Discussions took place at the Hotel Four Seasons in the relaxed atmosphere. Does GE have a new investment plan in Indonesia? We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the government to identify some priority areas. There are many potential investment (in Indonesia-Ed.). We met with customers and governments become more understand-and what it takes to be successful here. I believe this will bring more investment to Indonesia. GE Indonesia company to apply the concept of city, expanding the reach of services to various remote areas. How do you support this initiative? Indeed, this kind of thing that companies like ours should be. Over the past 130 years, we invested to develop technology that can help solve fundamental problems, such as lack of clean water, decent health care and affordable, as well as electricity supply. But we can not do it alone, and must cooperate with other companies, governments, and nongovernmental organizations. Have you ever worried about GE's leaders in Indonesia, mostly young tend to better serve their country rather than GE? No! Instead I want both of these things running balance. To be a world class company, there must be a balance between global strength of our technology and capital success here. We need people of all ages who have enthusiasm, commitment, and nationalism for their country, but also know what is most suitable for customers and shareholders.Are there plans to build more factories in Indonesia GE? There are some things in our portfolio that could be developed here. All depends on human resources. We will build a plant anywhere-if there is availability of competent personnel, and Indonesia have it. We also need a law (and rule-Ed.) Labor flexibility.Can we get ancar-ancar GE's investment growth in Indonesia in the next five years? We can not mention numbers. But we plan to double-digit growth in Indonesia. In fact we will increase it again two or three times as much.Is GE felt threatened by China-thus expanding its headquarters to Asia? Absolutely not. A number of things we did in China, such as working with state-owned enterprises, it is our wish to apply in Indonesia. In some ways, in cooperation with China makes us become a better company and become an example of our business in Indonesia, Brazil, and the Middle East.How do you compare the investment climate in China and Indonesia? The investment climate in both countries are equally good. Sure China has a larger market for its population. But Indonesia with about 240 million people are potentially very large compared to many other countries. | |
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