INDONESIA does not seem to be ready to face the age of free trade in Southeast Asia (AFTA) in three years time. At least, we have seen no concrete steps being taken to prepare the Indonesian industrial sector to face the advent of trade liberalization. What is happening instead, our industry is falling, one by one, said Rahmat Gobel, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Kadin).

The fall season, among others, struck th