Indonesia scheduled to ink export deals with U.S. firms

Indonesia scheduled to ink export deals with U.S. firms

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will sign export contracts for
electronics and textile-related goods with U.S. businesses this
month, Minister of Trade and Industry Rahardi Ramelan said on
Saturday.

Rahardi announced after meeting President B.J. Habibie that he
would attend the signing ceremonies early this month along with a
group of 20 entrepreneurs from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, and officials of Bank Indonesia and the Supreme
Audit Agency.

Contracts for electronics exports will be signed in Los
Angeles, California, and for textiles in New York.

Details on the exact nature of the export items were
unavailable.

The delegation will also pay a formal visit to Washington D.C.

Rahardi was quoted by Antara as saying that some foreign
buyers doubted the ability of Indonesian exporters to deliver
products on time.

The government and the business delegation would work to
restore buyers' confidence of prompt delivery, especially for
fashion products, he said.

As an example, he said, garments and shoes must be delivered
on time because they conform to style changes. Tardy delivery
would force buyers to sell them at discounted prices.

Rahardi met with the President to report on the country's
preparation for the G-15 developing nations summit in Jamaica on
Feb. 10 to Feb. 12.

Indonesia's delegation to the summit will be led by
Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Ginandjar
Kartasasmita, and will also consist of Minister of Foreign
Affairs Ali Alatas, he said.

Before the summit, Rahardi will attend the meeting of trade
ministers of the G-15 countries on Feb. 6, the news agency
reported. The previous meetings were held in India and Egypt.

Group members are Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru,
Senegal, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. (das)