The free trade competition in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) that will be run by ASEAN countries in 2015 is welcomed by positively by Jakarta Provincial Government. Indeed, as a state capital city and a center of economy, Jakarta has to be a model of change that is ready to face AFTA.

Indonesia has benefits on demography, geography, et cetera. There are many commodities that can be rely on and prepared to compete in AFTA

“ Indonesia has benefits on demography, geography, et cetera. There are many commodities that can be rely on and prepared to compete in AFTA . It depends on the leader who must be able to utilize and manage it,” stated Jakarta Vice Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Saturday (5/10).

According to Basuki, Jakarta is the province that quite ready to become a model. With governmental structures that can empower the excess of natural resources (SDA), human resources (SDM), and demography, it will boost up the preparation in other provinces.

“We need a leader who can utilize the excess on SDA, SDM, as well as demography. If Jakarta can do it, it will boost up and force other provinces to change quickly,” he said.

AFTA is an opportunity for Indonesians to be more advance in terms of international economy. But, it also a challenge. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) survey, Indonesia’s compete index in 2012-2013 ranked 50th from 144 countries surveyed. The rank is still far left behind than some ASEAN countries, such as Singapore which ranked the 2nd, Malaysia 25th, Brunei Darussalam 28th, and Thailand 38th.