Hungarian President talks business

Hungarian President talks business

JAKARTA (JP): Hungarian President Arpad Goncz got straight
down to business upon his arrival here yesterday, after taking
time off with his wife to spend the weekend on the holiday island
of Bali.

Following a military 21-gun salute at Merdeka Palace, where he
was greeted by President Soeharto, Goncz kicked off his two-day
state visit by going directly to work on promoting bilateral
economic ties. He met with the head of the Indonesian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Abu Rizal Bakrie, at Borobudur
Hotel.

During the business meeting, Goncz was accompanied by the
entourage of 39 Hungarian businessmen who are with him on his
trip.

The economic aspects of the visit were emphasized once more
during a dinner at the State Palace when Soeharto said,
"Experience has taught us that cooperation with other nations can
provide benefits for our development."

Soeharto welcomed the Hungarian initiatives in developing ties
with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and, in particular, with Indonesia.

"We hope that in the years to come we can all enjoy the
improving economic and trade relations between our two
countries," Soeharto said.

Goncz said that Hungary, with its specific geographic
location, could become a gateway for Indonesian products to
Europe.

"The possibilities to intensify our friendly cooperation have
multiplied. We mainly, but not exclusively, see these
possibilities in the sphere of economy," he said.

Bilateral commercial links have steadily progressed in the
last few years, with Indonesia accumulating a favorable balance
of about US$155 million in the past nine years.

Indonesia's exports to Hungary mainly consist of coffee which
accounts for 40 percent of total consumption. Other commodities
include rubber, pepper, tin and plywood.

In return, Hungary supplies plastics, pharmaceuticals and
machinery for the production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
cylinders.

Goncz was elected president by the Hungarian parliament on
Aug. 3, 1990. Before assuming his present post, Goncz had
established himself as a literary figure and was president of the
Hungarian Writers' Association.

He is known to be an avid reader and enjoys music. It was
probably this artistic side which led him to meet with local
pianist Irawati Sudiarso and experimental musician Slamet Abdul
Syukur after his meeting with the Kadin board.

This morning Goncz will engage in a private discussion with
Soeharto at Merdeka Palace. This will be followed by a meeting
with Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

The Hungarian president is scheduled to return to Budapest
later today on a private Tupolev 154-B plane. (mds)