California to increase exports to RI

California to increase exports to RI

JAKARTA (JP): Governor of California Pete Wilson was
optimistic yesterday that exports from his state to Indonesia
would continue to increase.

Wilson, who arrived here Tuesday for a three-day visit, told
reporters that California exported US$561.62 million worth of
goods to Indonesia in 1995 and $538.95 million worth in the first
three quarters of last year.

Indonesia, he said, had become California's 22nd largest
export market, but the trade data he presented showed that
California exported less to Indonesia than all other ASEAN
countries.

Wilson said California's exports to Indonesia consisted mostly
of industrial machinery, computer and transportation equipment
and farm produce.

He thought California could export a lot more energy,
transportation and telecommunications equipment to Indonesia.

The governor's visit is part of his 21-day trip to Asian
countries, including Hong Kong, Bangkok, the Philippines,
Singapore, Taiwan and China.

Wilson, who is accompanied by five businessmen and 16
officials, said he wanted to expand trade and business ties with
Indonesia.

He said that Indonesia's rapidly developing economy was very
attractive to foreign investors.

"A great many American businesses are now very aware of the
importance of Indonesia economically because of its noted rapid
expansion in economic development," he said.

He said the country's program to "deregulate and
debureaucratize" had resulted in annual growth rates over the
last two decades which were almost twice the world's average.

Wilson, who met President Soeharto and Minister of Industry
and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo yesterday, is departing today for
Singapore. (02)