Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu hoped Indonesia would continue improve its competitiveness until it reached a position over the 40th level on the list of the World Economic Forum (WEF)`s Global Competitiveness Index (GCI).

"We hope in the coming two or three years Indonesia`s competitiveness rating would increase and be registered at over the 40th level," the minister said on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum - East Asia (WEF - EA) meeting here on Sunday.

She said that the government would do its best to overcome problems that had so far hampered and weakened its competitiveness such as insufficient infrastructure and inefficient bureaucracy.

"We will also do our best to overcome corruption and public health problems. For these, we will take short and long term steps," she said.

The 2010-2011 WEF`s GCI report placed Indonesia`s competitiveness rating on the 44th list of 239 developing countries.

Indonesia`s position was still over those of a number of developing states such as Brazil, South Africa and India but it is under those of Singapore and Malaysia.

Several factors considered to be contributing to Indonesia`s competitiveness included fast economic growth, sound fiscal management, and increasing basic educational access.

In the meantime, factors seen as having weakened the country`s competitive edge consisted of insufficient infrastructures, toads, ports, railways and the lack of power and energy supplies.

In order to increase its competitiveness, Indonesia should also improve its health service, labor welfare, transparency and accountability of bureaucratic services. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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