11.   Last year the National Assembly approved a streamlining of the government that merged several ministries to improve coordination within the bureaucracy.

12.   Mao said the law would be part of a process of administrative reform that would allow the government to streamline some of its operations by merging ministries.

13.   Murdiono said the two ministries had been merged into a ministry of trade and industry, headed by former industry minister Tungky Ariwibowo.

14.   The assembly also approved a major government reorganisation that merged eight ministries into three in an effort to cut back on the bureaucracy that has hindered economic development.