Japan hails RI debt plan

JAKARTA (JP): Japanese Finance Minister Hikaru Matsunaga said yesterday the Japanese government welcomed the foreign debt rescheduling deal signed by Indonesia and international banks Thursday.

"We highly welcome this agreement which would help Indonesia restore confidence of international markets in her economy and currency," Matsunaga said in a statement sent by the Indonesian office of Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry.

"As this agreement was achieved through the intensive discussions of both parties, we would like to pay our best respects to them for their efforts," the statement said.

"We will continue to extend utmost assistance to Indonesia in close cooperation with the international institutions including the International Monetary Fund, as well as the G-7 and other countries.

"We hope the government of Indonesia will carry out the economic reform effort steadily."