Ambassador to drum up U.S. investment in RI

Ambassador to drum up U.S. investment in RI

JAKARTA (JP): United States Ambassador to Indonesia Robert L.
Barry said here yesterday that he will invite small and medium
sized companies in the U.S. to set up investment projects in
Indonesia because of its favorable investment climate.

Barry told reporters that he, together with American
ambassadors to the other ASEAN countries, will begin a 17-day
American tour on June 6 to promote investment in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) also groups
Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand,
besides Indonesia.

Barry said the ambassadors plan to visit six cities -- Los
Angeles, Seattle, Denver, St. Louis, New York and Washington D.C.
-- during their third such tour.

However, Barry suggested that the Indonesian government
introduce more deregulatory measures to attract American
investment.

Many businessmen have canceled plans to invest in Indonesia
because requirements on divestment -- gradual reduction of equity
participation in projects -- and red tape have discouraged them
from doing business here, he said.

"The more deregulation takes place the more attractive
Indonesia will become," said the ambassador.

He said the previous two tours indicated that many American
businessmen are interested in doing business in Indonesia due to
its political stability.

Meanwhile Ted Villinski, counselor for foreign commercial
service at the U.S. embassy, said Indonesia will have to compete
with Vietnam and China in attracting U.S. investment because
American businessmen are more familiar with the latter two
countries. (yns)