Minister Encourages PR to Promote ASEAN Competitiveness

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Indonesia's Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara encourages public relations to promote the economic potencies of the ASEAN member states in a competitive world. 

"Public relations has an important role to bring ASEAN as one of the attractive destinantion for trade, investment and tourism," Rudiantara said here on Thursday. 

Speaking to delegates at the opening ceremony of the first ASEAN Public Relations Conference, he said Indonesian public relations has a strategic position to drive the region, seeing the fact, Indonesia covers almost 40 percent of the ASEAN economic.

ASEAN has abounded of national resources and home of 600 millions people, which around 40 percent of belongs to Indonesian citizen, he added. 

He said ASEAN is the world's promising growth with economic growth reach almost five percent, making this region among the world's most stable economy and supported by a stable political environment.

Meanwhile, ASEAN Public Relations Network President Prita Kemal Gani said public relations and communication play a major role in disseminating information and helping the government in each country to prepare people transformation, to create connectivity, promotes friendship and mutual collaboration.

     

"The strategy is clear, our profession must help ASEAN people warm to be on the drivers' seats. ASEAN should be people centered," she said. 

     

However, she furthermore added PR and communication professional must use new approach in reaching the 600 millions people in the region as they have a new audience, new relations, new tools and new standard. 

"Therefore part of our discussion in this conference is Building a Strong Reputation in a Competitive World," she said. 

ASEAN PR Conference is the first meeting held in Bali, marking the 50th anniversary of the 10 nations association this year. 

The three days meeting is attended by some public relations professionals from ASEAN member states and other countries including Australia and India. (Dwa)