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)