France promises to aid Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): French Minister of Foreign Trade Jacques Dondoux
\npledged yesterday that his country would contribute to
\nIndonesia's efforts to cope with the economic crisis.<\/p>\n
Dondoux, who arrived here Tuesday from Malaysia, said France
\nwould be the motor of the Uni European countries to take part in
\nrestoring Indonesia's ailing economy and relieving those who had
\nbeen victimized by the turmoil.<\/p>\n
\"My visit to Malaysia and Indonesia is to stress the
\nsolidarity spirit of France and Europe,\" he told a media briefing
\nyesterday after meeting with President Soeharto and several
\nIndonesian economic ministers.<\/p>\n
He said France would increase trade between the two countries
\nby importing more Indonesian products, especially agriculture
\nproducts.<\/p>\n
According to Indonesia's Central Bureau of Statistics, two-way
\ntrade between Indonesia and France reached US$1.5 billion last
\nyear, with France enjoying a surplus of $506 million.<\/p>\n
Dondoux said France would also participate in the government's
\nplan to privatize its state enterprises by investing in some of
\nthe companies.<\/p>\n
The government is planning to divest ownership of 12 state
\ncompanies, five of which are publicly listed.<\/p>\n
\"We are interested in the telecommunications, water,
\ntransportation, power and service sectors,\" Dondoux said.<\/p>\n
He said his country would also provide soft loans to finance
\nsome of the projects here which had been approved by the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
France would also encourage other Uni European countries to
\nprovide financial aid to Indonesians who had to carry the burden
\nof the economic turmoil.<\/p>\n
He said that during his meeting with Indonesian officials, he
\nalso discussed the possibility of giving short-term loans and of
\nproviding concessions for the repayment of Indonesian debts owed
\nto French banks.<\/p>\n
Dondoux said Soeharto asserted that he was determined to
\nimplement the economic reform agreed earlier this month with the
\nInternational Monetary Fund (IMF).<\/p>\n
He said officials from both countries shared the same view
\nyesterday during the discussion that \"much of the crisis was
\nmerely in the minds of the people\".<\/p>\n
\"There is no war, cities and factories still exist,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Dondoux, who was accompanied by officials of his ministry,
\nreturned to France last night. During his visit here the minister
\nand Vice President B.J. Habibie opened the French Technology
\nExhibition on Wednesday. (das)<\/p>",
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