Businessmen told to improve competitiveness

Businessmen told to improve competitiveness

JAKARTA (JP): British Minister of Trade Richard Needham
yesterday urged his country's businessmen to increase
competitiveness in Indonesia to help improve bilateral trade
relations.

Needham, who is here for a one-week visit, said in a business
luncheon organized by the Indonesia British Association here
yesterday that British businessmen should also improve
proficiency in the Indonesian language to improve relations with
local businessmen.

According to Needham, British businessmen can increase
business activities in Indonesia which has enormous potential and
offers stable economic growth.

In a related development, John Gunning, a member of a British
mission from the Sheffield and Rotterdam of Commerce and
Industry, said yesterday that his company will cooperate with two
Indonesian firms to develop lighthouses in the eastern part of
Indonesia.

"The agreement of the $19 million project will most likely be
signed early next year," he said.

He said his company will also get involved in other projects,
including double railway tracking and power generation.

The mission was led by John S. Hambidge.

Data from the British embassy shows that in the first eight
month of this year Britain's exports to Indonesia increased by
8.05 percent to 240.49 million pounds (US$389.6 million),
compared to the same period of 1993. Indonesia's exports to
Britain, meanwhile, grew by 13 percent to 507.28 million pounds.

In investment, Britain ranked forth among the biggest foreign
investors in Indonesia with total investment commitments of $8
billion for 181 projects as of Oct. 1 since 1967.

During his visit, Needham, who is accompanied by some 40
British businessmen, has held meetings with Secretary General of
the Ministry of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Jonathan
Parapak, Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad, State Minister of
National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Minister of
Trade Satrio Budiardjo Joedono and Minister of Transportation
Haryanto Dhanutirto.(icn)