PM Bhutto to develop trade links<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto arrived
\nin Jakarta yesterday at the start of a three-day state visit
\nwhich is expected to focus on enhancing economic and trade
\nrelations between the two countries.<\/p>\n
Bhutto is accompanied by her husband Asif Ali Zardari, five
\ncabinet ministers and 80 business leaders from Pakistan to
\nunderscore the nature and importance of the visit. She flew in
\nfrom Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, the first of the two Southeast
\nAsian stops in her current overseas trip.<\/p>\n
Most of the official business discussions, including her
\nofficial talks with President Soeharto, are scheduled for today.<\/p>\n
Other engagements include witnessing the signing of various
\nofficial and business agreements, and a luncheon with the
\nIndonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.<\/p>\n
There is also a meeting planned with Megawati Soekarnoputri,
\nthe chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party and daughter
\nof Indonesia's first president Sukarno. Bhutto, the daughter of
\nmurdered Pakistan prime minister Ali Bhutto, and Megawati's
\nfriendship goes back to the time when their fathers were in power
\nin their respective countries.<\/p>\n
Pakistani officials in Islamabad said earlier that Bhutto was
\nexpected to discuss business opportunities that the country has
\nto offer following a series of liberalization measures.<\/p>\n
Bhutto yesterday discussed business prospects with Siti
\nHardiyanti Rukmana (Tutut) and Hutomo Mandala Putra (Tommy), both
\nchildren of President Soeharto and leaders of their own business
\nconglomerates, at the State Guest House where she is staying.<\/p>\n
\"There are so many things that we can do. Why should they turn
\nto countries outside Asia if they can find partners here?\" Mrs.
\nRukmana said after the meeting.<\/p>\n
The prime minister, she said, plans to invite Indonesian
\ncompanies to Pakistan to invest in such areas as trading, sugar
\nand palm oil plantations, and also toll road construction.<\/p>\n
Tommy, who has been at the center of attention for the past
\nweek over his plan to start production of an all-Indonesian built
\ncar, said that the market prospects for his car in Pakistan are
\nalso good given the 120 million population.<\/p>\n
\"They appear to have the same problem as we have here in
\nrunning their car industry. Their (foreign) principals prohibit
\nthem from exporting the cars overseas,\" he said.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
\nHabibie announced that Pakistan International Airlines, the
\nnational flag carrier, is to sign a memorandum of understanding
\nto purchase 15 N-250 planes. IPTN, the state-run aircraft
\nindustry which Habibie heads, is currently developing the plane.<\/p>\n
But Bhutto's visit is not confined to business.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, during a brief meeting she held with Soeharto,
\nBhutto conveyed Pakistan's wish to take part in the next Asia-
\nEurope summit, whose inaugural meeting in Bangkok last week
\nsucceeded in bridging understanding between the two regions.<\/p>\n
\"The Prime Minister asked the President for his support for
\nPakistan's intention to take part in the forum,\" Minister\/State
\nSecretary Moerdiono said after the meeting, held immediately
\nafter the welcome laid out for her at the State Palace.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday Bhutto also conveyed Pakistan's desire to
\nestablish formal dialog ties with the Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN) during her discussion with Brunei's
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
During a banquet hosted by Soeharto last night, the Indonesian
\nleader said relations between the two countries go back to the
\nlate 1940s when Indonesia was fighting for independence and
\nPakistan was still part of British India.<\/p>\n
\"The Founding Father of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, gave
\nstrong support to the Indonesian independence struggle in those
\ndifficult years. He urged all Moslems in sub-continent Asia to
\nrespond positively to Indonesia's call for support.\"<\/p>\n
As a result of his appeal, many Pakistanis in the British
\nIndian Army who were sent to put down the independence struggle
\ndefected and joined the republican army.<\/p>\n
\"The people of Indonesia can never forget Pakistan's
\ncontribution and role in their independence struggle,\" Soeharto
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Bhutto will cap her visit with a one-night stopover in Bali
\ntonight before flying back to Pakistan. (emb)<\/p>\n
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