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Import policy results in brain drain
Former president BJ Habibie says Indonesiaâs policy of importing high-technology products has prompted qualified human resources to choose to work overseas and makes them reluctant to return home
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ormer president BJ Habibie says Indonesia's policy of importing high-technology products has prompted qualified human resources to choose to work overseas and makes them reluctant to return home.
'Even when they return home, they can't find work because we rely on the importation of various products that we are unable to manufacture ourselves,' he said at his residence on Sunday night.
He declined to mention the number of Indonesian professionals working overseas, but did say that they had little choice as there were no jobs at home that suited their qualifications.
'We have to change the import policy by purchasing and utilizing Indonesian products as much as possible. If we begin to produce high-tech products, professionals will come back home,' he said as quoted by Antara news agency.
Habibie, an expert in aircraft manufacturing, said that many Indonesian professionals who worked as researchers or in the manufacturing of high-technology products overseas wished to return home.
He said many Indonesian professionals who assisted him when he lived in Germany were prepared to return home if they were recruited by the government and entrusted to manufacture high-tech products in Indonesia. (rms)
