Kadin and German agency sign deal

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the Hamburg Business Development Corporation (HWF) signed on Tuesday a cooperation agreement to promote Indonesian exports to Europe.

HWF project director Bernd Riegerl said the German agency and the Kadin would work together to develop commercial links by utilizing the distribution center in Hamburg.

Riegerl said under the agreement the German agency and Kadin would also jointly provide training programs as well as seminars to help Indonesian exporters enter European markets.

"Hamburg is the most strategic location to launch businesses on the European market. It is the gate to enter the West European market, and even to the developing Middle and East European markets," he said after the signing of the cooperation agreement.

Riegerl said in addition to providing free consultation services, the agency would also offer a special package called the HWF-New Business Incentive Program.

He said under the special program Indonesian companies opening Hamburg branches would be exempt from paying office rent during the first six months of their operation.

Riegerl said Hamburg is one of the major ports in Germany and Europe, and has become a large trading center for 3000 foreign companies including China, the United States, Scandinavian countries, Japan and Korea.

He said at least 15 Indonesian companies had established representatives offices in Hamburg, primarily branches of major Indonesian trading firms.

Soy M. Pardede, Kadin's vice president, said Kadin would establish a one-stop promotion and export center called Rumah Indonesia in Hamburg to facilitate the country's exports.

He also said the cooperation agreement would boost the country's exports back to pre-crisis levels. (01)