Observer Calls SOE Minister's Steps To Find Strategic Investors For Garuda Indonesia Needs To Be Supported

Illustration. Garuda Indonesia plane (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Executive Secretary of the Center for World Trade Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Maharani Hapsari, assessed that BUMN Minister Erick Thohir's efforts to seek strategic investors need to be supported and appreciated.

"Looking for strategic investors is an inseparable part of the structural reforms that Minister Erick is currently undertaking at Garuda airline," said Maharani as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, July 6.

Maharani said that looking for strategic investors is an ad hoc policy that is being rolled out by Erick Thohir.

This is part of a grand plan for a comprehensive overhaul which is an integral part of the transformation of Garuda's aviation industry.

According to him, the government must know precisely the supply chain from upstream to downstream of the national aviation industry, so that it can find out what advantages Garuda has and how to take advantage of it.

"When the supply chain of the national aviation industry can be mapped, the presence of this strategic investor can be a very effective driver to be able to develop Garuda," said Maharani.

In addition to bringing in very large capital, continued Maharani, the presence of strategic investors in Garuda is expected to be able to realize the transfer of world aviation science and technology.

Garuda's future development will not only require financial capital, but also human capital development in the aviation sector. In addition, the presence of strategic investors is also expected to increase the number of passengers and cargo on Garuda.

"All Indonesians, including Minister Erick Thohir, want Garuda to become a major player in the national and global aviation industry. Minister Erick must be able to select and sort out these potential strategic investors," said Maharani.

"They must have a long-term vision to develop the aviation industry, so that the presence of this strategic investor does not make the Indonesian people only objects, but becomes an inseparable part of the development of the national and global aviation industry transformation," he added.

Maharani assessed that the step of cooperating with strategic investors in developing a business is a common and rational thing in running a business, including in the global aviation industry.

Although Indonesia has huge tourism resources and potential, the presence of investors must exist, so that the presence of strategic investors in Garuda can complement the current shortcomings of the Indonesian nation.

"Garuda improvement should not stop at one side. When we have taken a rational policy to save Garuda, then there must be rational and strategic consequences that must be met. With Indonesia's large resources, it is hoped that the entry of strategic investors can be mapped out well," explained Maharani.

In order for the transformation and restructuring to be complete, Maharani hopes that Erick Thohir and management can provide valid information regarding the potential presence of strategic investors in Garuda, including the reputation of the potential strategic investors.

With this valid information, it is hoped that the public will understand the rational choice chosen by the government in saving Garuda.

"The presence of strategic investors in Garuda can be read in the socio-economic community, so that the presence of these strategic investors can make a positive contribution to society, the national economy, and the development of Garuda in the future, so that the presence of strategic investors is expected to trigger Garuda's transformation," concluded Maharani.