Hartarto assures American investors of investment ease

JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto is inviting U.S. investors to do more businesses in Indonesia, pledging that the government will continue improving the baseness climate through deregulations.

At a meeting in New York on Monday Hartarto convinced 300 U.S. businesspeople that the deregulations will support foreign business activities in Indonesia.

The meeting, which was followed by a cultural performance, attracted local parties from oil, banking, insurance, engineering and manufacture sectors.

Hartarto, along with his entourage of 70 businesspeople and 100 artists, is visiting New York on the first leg of his mission to enhance bilateral trade, tourism and investment cooperation with the United States. During his 10-day U.S. visit, the minister will also tour Washington, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Former ambassador to the United States A.R. Ramly, Governor of Bank Indonesia J. Soedradjad Djiwandono, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aburizal Bakrie, Chairman of Kadin's Indonesia-U.S. Committee Tony Agus Ardie and business tycoon Ibrahim Risyad are included in the entourage.

"I have reports on potential interest from U.S. businesspeople to invest more in Indonesia," Antara quoted Hartarto as saying.

The Indonesian delegation and its U.S. counterparts also held parallel meetings in New York on oil and banking industries.

Tony Agus Ardie said that political ties between the United States and Indonesia have been impressive but their business relations need improvement.

The mission is also scheduled to launch a Scholastic Ambassador Program for introducing Indonesia to Americans. This includes the launching of a book containing facts and information about Indonesia. Hundreds of copies are distributed to students and teachers in high schools throughout the United States.

The book launching is conducted in cooperation with a local publishing company, Scholastic Educational Incorporated, which has some 75 years of experience.

The program, held in conjunction with Indonesia's golden anniversary, is aimed at providing, first hand, the right information on Indonesia.

"The idea of the program came from Indonesian and U.S. private parties and is supported by both governments," Tony said.(kod)