Krugman to speak at economics forum

JAKARTA (JP): Distinguished world economist Paul Krugman, Hubert Neiss, the director of the International Monetary Fund for Asia and Pacific, and several other economists will speak at an economics forum to be held here on Aug. 25.

Other speakers at the Indonesian Economic Forecast half-day conference to be organized by Strategic Intelligence, an independence intelligence provider based in Jakarta and Singapore, also include noted Indonesian economists Syahrir, Mari E. Pangestu and Miranda Gultom.

Chairman of Strategic Intelligence Scott Younger will also address the seminar, which will discuss Indonesia's future and changes in the economic and political policy in the region and their impact on business.

Oliver Draper, a Strategic Intelligence director, said Krugman, considered by his peers to be future Nobel prize winner, would speak about Indonesia's future in Asia's new economic environment.

"Paul Krugman was the first world economist to warn that Asia would be facing a crisis, because of unsound economic policies," Draper said.

He said his research agency would organize the forum, while computer company PT Hewlett-Packard Berca Servisindo and the office of Deutsche Bank AG of Indonesia would help with funding for the event. (udi)