WEBODIGY Business & Finance Journal

The implementation of free market liberalization within the framework of the Asean free trade of China (ACFTA) had an impact on the food and beverage industry (mamin) in the country.

Chairman of the Joint Regulation Division Food and Beverage Entrepreneur Indonesia (Gapmmi) Franky M. Sibarani said until now has not seen ACFTA adverse effects of food and beverage industry in the country.

Inflow of goods at the port designated as the entrance mamin product imports, according to him, so far still normal and not show an increase in significant quantities.

“Not to look [impact ACFTA]. Everything is normal,” he told Bisnis.com, in the office of the Ministry of Trade, today.

Since January 1, 2010, the implementation of market liberalization officially begins. Originally appeared frightened from various industries, the implementation of this market liberalization will erode mastery of the domestic industry market share by products of China

The lack of a new fleet procurement over the last five years become the main drivers continue to decline in the container ship market share of total national commercial transport fleet.

Based on data Kemenhub within the last five years, the number of national container fleet increase by 50 units from 107 units in 2005 to 157 units in 2009.

Head of Cooperation and Foreign Relations Board of Indonesian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA) said the container ship during the first principle of cabotage policy apply.

However, he said, the procurement of the ships of this type more to rejuvenate the old-old, not a new provision so that growing relatively more slowly than other types of fleets.

“Actually, the first container cabotage subject, but more fleet procurement to replace the old ships, not the addition of a new fleet,” he told Bisnis.com today.

Market share of the total container ship fleet of the national commercial transportation in Indonesia in the last five years despite the continued decline in number at the end of 2009 continued to grow compared to the position in 2005.

Kemenhub data mentioned though the number of ships still growing, but market share container fleet in the country to the total national merchant ships during the last five years tended to decline.

In 2005, the share of container ships to reach 2.30% of total national commercial fleet recorded 4659 units, down 2.92 basis points to just 2.08% in 2009 from a total of 7546 units ship.

Wages in Japan during December fell because the company cut employee bonuses to become a signal that consumer spending can not encourage economic recovery.

Labor Department data released in Japan today said Tokyo monthly wages, including overtime, down 6.1% from last year to U.S. $ 5056 (549,259 yen). Decrease in salaries in Japan have higher than the December figure, which is 7%, in June.

Although Japan getting out of the worst recession since World War II, the benefits of the company in the country, ranging from All Nippon Airways Co. to Noritsu Koki Co., not yet recovered.

Before the announcement that data, BNP Paribas economist Azusa Kato Tokyo said the drop in unemployment is not enough to encourage domestic consumption during the business is still cutting labor wages.

“You have to consider improvements to overcome the employment decline in wages. During the employee’s income falls like this, households have not benefited from economic recovery, “said Kato.

Separately, the Japan Business Federation’s report last week showed a big company to cut winter bonuses by 15% to 755,628 yen. The sharpest decline since the survey of wages conducted occurred in 1959

WINA – State Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (Opec) agreed to maintain current production quotas, 24.84 million barrels per day.

It was stated Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi, preceding the official announcement of OPEC meeting in Vienna. “No further questions, is there an agreement to that,” said Nuaimi.

He added that the ministerial meeting of member countries of OPEC in Austria’s capital was in order to keep the situation was conducive assessed at this time. The emergence of these comments from Nuaimi yesterday boost world oil prices return to levels of USD82 per barrel.

A friend once vent frustration at the government statistics issued by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). He was angry and said that nonsense BPS data and BPS did not see the field conditions.

“Read in the paper what? He said, inflation rate fell, from 0.84 percent in January 2010 to 0.30 percent in February 2010. In fact, the market prices keep rising. If you do not believe, let’s go to the market! “I tried to calm my friend. I said to the friend that it was entered in March 2010. BPS announced data for February 2010.

That way, we can not reconcile it with the BPS data that is now happening in the market. “Fine. If so, you trust me. Almost every week I go to the market. Last month I was also into the market. Even last month and I see that the price increase. Now, does this fit with BPS data? “I asked the friend, what he bought last month.

My friend rather inflamed with my question. “Of course I buy rice. Also chili sauce, which became my hobby. “You buy fresh fish and eggs or not?” I said. “Of course not, I’m a vegetarian.” Then, what is it? You buy cooking oil? “I stated again. “I follow a healthy lifestyle I rarely fry.” “Last month, you buy clothes or not?” “I am a simple person. Berhobi not buy clothes. Months ago I did not buy clothes. Your question just getting weird! “” Buy gold! ”

“What question is this. I do not have the money to buy gold. “Seeing my friends getting upset with my question, I was later told him that just so happens that the things he did not consume (fresh fish, eggs, cooking oil, clothing, and gold) were price decline in February.

Unfortunately, the price of rice and chili sauce, which he consumed, it increases a lot. I told him that he was upset at the BPS data because he consumed the goods whose prices rise. He also happens to rent a house and rent the house was up in February.

My friend was silent, but he looked very dissatisfied. He understood that the inflation rate at 0.30 percent in February 2010 that the average rate. Which fell from January to February is the average number. Suddenly he turned the issue. “You remember that in 2009 the inflation rate is much lower than the inflation rate in 2008?” “Yes, remember. Inflation reached 11.06 percent in 2008, then fell sharply to 2.78 percent in 2009. “” So, the average price in 2009 was much lower than in 2008 is not it? “Asked my friend with a half-mocking laugh. “Oh.Tidak.” “Then, am I right that the BPS nonsense,” my friend said with a grin.

I then explained that the inflation figures showed the average price increase. Inflation rate is not the average price, but the average price increase. If inflation falls, the fall is the ascent. While still rising, although the increase down, the price would continue to become more expensive. That’s what causes seems there is a “discrepancy” in statistics and in the market.

Inflation is declining to say price is not declining. While there is inflation (as long as inflation is still positive), prices will rise still continues. My friend was silent.

Tried to reflect the difference between price increases and the price itself. Lower inflation means rising prices decline, while prices were still rising. Another example is very obvious that occurred in 2005 and 2006. Inflation rate fell very sharply from 17.11 percent in 2005 to 6.60 percent in 2006.

Prices fell dramatically? Increase people’s purchasing power? Because inflation is still positive, the average price in December 2006 nearly 25 percent higher than the average in January 2005. If there was no increase in income, purchasing power actually decreased. BPS is not wrong because of inflation around the world are showing price increases, not price itself.

My friend nodded. He understands about inflation statistics. BPS is not wrong. “But,” my friend is still wondering, “we should not provide other statistics so that we may better understand the prices and purchasing power?” He said that we need statistics other than inflation. So far he had always assumed that the falling inflation means that prices are falling.

According to him, many others who think like him. He said that, if not economists, would not have known this. I replied, “There are economists who do not know about it ……. But, should it just a coincidence.” “Tom, what if every month the government also said that prices continue to rise, and not just say if inflation falls or rises. Price said to come down, when inflation is negative. ”

“According to economic theory, prices down was a sign of economic doldrums. Thus, the price decline is not good for the economy, “I tried to explain to a friend. “Tom, you are saying? Each month prices go up. But, fee I get from teaching is not up every month. Even a year or even two years is often not up. If increased, it was not because of adjustments to the price increase. My income increased only if I teach more. Sorry, I’m not an economist. “I paused. Can not answer this question. I pondered again all the economic theories I have ever learned.

Indeed we need to learn more (re-learn) economic theory. We need friends who are not economists to provide a fundamental question for economists force (including me) reviewed the “dogma” that often we have learned, including statistics that we use.

Maybe if the economists tried to “socialize” the economic concept widely not to let the economists (and economists) do not misinterpret economic statistics. Any announcements of economic statistics need an explanation of what the statistics show that. Inflation is one example.