Bower: Building trust between the U.S. and RI<\/p>\n
Yenni Djahidin, Contributor, Washington<\/p>\n
Brilliant fall sunlight shone through the white blinds into a
\nsmall office in one of the most prestigious addresses in
\nWashington, DC.<\/p>\n
The wall was still bare. Paintings and framed pictures were
\nstill scattered, waiting to be put up to be a new office for
\nErnest Z. Bower.<\/p>\n
Ernie, as he is known around DC and southeast Asia, had just
\nmoved a day earlier. For 10 years he was the president of the
\nU.S.-ASEAN Business Council.<\/p>\n
He has been shuttling back and forth between Washington and
\nASEAN countries as a go-between for the American business
\ncommunity and leaders in the region. Now he is forming a business
\npartnership with Karen Brooks, a former White House director for
\nAsia.<\/p>\n
"We both feel very passionate about the need for the U.S. and
\nSoutheast Asia to be more engaged with one another, and I believe
\nthat business has a tremendous potential to do that," Bower told
\nThe Jakarta Post recently.<\/p>\n
He said the new company, BrooksBowerAsia, would act as a
\nbridge to help American companies increase their investment in
\nthe region.<\/p>\n
Established in early October, Bower said, the company so far
\nhad represented four multinational companies. Their target
\nclients, he said, were mostly American companies, but they also
\nwere hired by Asian companies wanting to do business in other
\nAsian countries.<\/p>\n
In Indonesia, he said, they would invest in three sectors: oil
\nand gas, electric power and agriculture.<\/p>\n
Bower is optimistic about the future of investment in
\nIndonesia. "We think Indonesia is actually a great place to be
\nright now. We actually think we'll be working a lot in
\nIndonesia," he said.<\/p>\n
He said he was hopeful the administration of president-elect
\nBambang Susilo Yudhoyono (SBY) would create a more friendly
\nenvironment for business. Bower wanted the new administration to
\nmake an effort to clamp down on corruption and strengthen the
\nadministration of the rule of law.<\/p>\n
"I think corruption is a major problem in Indonesia and the
\ngovernment will have to do more," he said. He explained that
\nIndonesia needed to speed up the process so that new investors
\nwho did not know Indonesia well would not hesitate put their
\nmoney there.<\/p>\n
"It will be interesting to observe the first hundred days of
\nSBY's government to see what he lays out as his platform and then
\nwhat action he takes to back that up," he said.<\/p>\n
Bower said he understood the new president would have some
\nproblems working with Indonesian legislators, but he said SBY had
\nthe authority to take issues to the people and make important
\nsteps to create a pro-business environment in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
When asked about the involvement of American companies in
\nperpetuating poverty abroad, human rights abuses, and their
\nwillingness to cooperate with the military, he said American
\nbusinesses had a bad reputation.<\/p>\n
Businesses were concerned about maintaining good international
\nreputations because any bad press would affect their profits.
\nMeanwhile, many U.S. businesses did not get credit for their work
\nin communities.<\/p>\n
However, Bower said security was a big issue for American
\ncompanies operating in Indonesia. "They have tried to find a
\nsecure working environment for their companies and that sometimes
\ninvolves, as you know, working with the Indonesian military."
\nsaid a man who likes rugby, marathons and triathalon.<\/p>\n
Bower said there were now good signs that the new president
\nhad a clear intention of building up the institution of the
\npolice. In future, the police, not the military, would be able
\nto keep local law and order, he said.<\/p>\n
"And that's why they (the businesspeople) have been very
\nstrong and supportive of the Indonesian government in that
\ndirection. They have also asked the American government to give
\nas much aid as possible to train Indonesian police forces," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Asked about the ongoing case involving the arrest of American
\nmining company Newmont executives, Ernie said, "It's a difficult
\nsituation."<\/p>\n
While he didn't know details of the problem, Bower said he
\nwished there were a better institution to monitor and implement
\nregulations.<\/p>\n
"This arrest sends a mixed message to investors who don't want
\nto be put in jail, but want to be good corporate citizens."<\/p>\n
Bower said during his time as president of the U.S.-ASEAN
\nBusiness Council, he had maintained open communication with
\nIndonesian leaders, a relationship built on trust.<\/p>\n
They were able to talk openly and honestly about problems, he
\nsaid. "American companies could understand the problems the
\nIndonesian government was facing. They did have more patience
\nbecause they understood," he said.<\/p>\n
Because of the open dialog, businesses were not surprised when
\nthe government made decisions they may have disagreed with.<\/p>\n
"I am proud of that, building trust between the United States
\nand Indonesia, it's very worthwhile," he said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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