Saturday 11 March 2017, UNAIR Faculty of Economics and Business held a dialogue with the theme of optimizing the role of regional service industries in supporting national economic growth. This agenda is a collaboration between FEB UNAIR and the Indonesian Services Dialogue (ISD), an NGO that concentrates on conducting studies, research and providing policy recommendations related to the service industry.
As the main speaker in the dialogue was the Mayor of Surabaya, Ir. Tri Rismaharini, Prof. Dr, Mari Elka Pangestu who was the Indonesian Minister of Trade for the 2004-2011 period and Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy 2011-2014, and Ir. Herliza, MSc as Director of Trade in the Services Sector, Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia.
Mrs. Risma started as the first speaker by delivering her presentation regarding the very rapid development of the service sector in the city of Surabaya, this can be seen from the number of new SMEs operating in the printing, design and internet marketing services sectors. Furthermore, Mrs. Risma conveyed one of the superior programs of the city of Surabaya called "Economic Warriors", namely assistance and awards for Surabaya residents who successfully run a business in any form and are then able to empower the community through their business.
Prof. Dr. Mari Elka as the second speaker spoke about the potential of the service industry both nationally and locally in Surabaya. From the data she quoted it was known that the contribution of the service sector nationally was 55% of 2014 GDP, and 77% of Surabaya's GDP. A very large number considering the situation in the manufacturing industry which is currently experiencing negative growth.
This enormous potential needs to be optimized, several steps he proposed for this optimization, the first is strengthening infrastructure conditions, implementing regulations that increase market access and encouraging innovation, intensifying the digitalization of economic activities, and the last but somewhat debatable is zero VAT (added tax). 0%) for service exports.
The final main speaker was Mrs. Ir. On this occasion, Herliza highlighted the role of international trade negotiations in the success of Indonesia's target to gain benefits from the trend of international trade liberalization, especially in the services sector. (MKM)
