Hashimoto's visit

Hashimoto's visit

The economic crisis has taught our decision makers a lesson in
drafting investment priorities on an appropriate scale. Often it
is desirable to avoid dependence on a small number of large-scale
industries to provide jobs, instead focusing on industries in
which a country holds a comparative advantage. It is hoped that
Japan can help us in this matter.

Indonesia needs quick and sizable support to overcome the
crisis. The first steps taken should include measures to
stabilize the rupiah at around Rp 5,000, the level agreed to be
appropriate by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At this
rate Indonesia's exports will once again become competitive and
it will be possible for the corporate sector to begin paying back
their debts. The main obstacle to initiating these steps is
finding a mechanism that can work to Indonesia's advantage.

We are confident that visiting Japanese prime minister
Hashimoto can assist with resolving this intellectual challenge
because he has a better understanding of the workings of the
Indonesian economy than the IMF team. We believe that prime
minister Ryutaro Hashimoto's visit will cement the foundations
for a blossoming relationship between Indonesia and Japan --
relations that are based on a similarity of values and shared
Asian norms.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta