Mega forms team to boost economic ties with Japan

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has set up a special team to advise the government on how to boost economic relations with Japan.

The team will be led by State Minister of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi. Its members are University of Gadjah Mada economist Sri Adiningsih, University of Indonesia economist Sri Mulyani Indrawati, president of automaker PT Astra International Teddy P. Rachmat, Djunaedi Hadisumarto of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), education expert Muchtar Buchori, sociologist Untoro Suryo, and legislator Heri Akhmadi of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

Sri Adiningish told the Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the team would hold discussions with its Japanese counterpart to seek ways to boost economic and business ties between the two countries.

The Kontan weekly reported that the Japanese team consists of experts from various universities including Takatoshi Ito, Masaaki Komatsu, Toshihiko Kinoshito, Shujiro Urata, Shinji Asanuma, and Takashi Shiraishi.

Sri said that Megawati has issued a presidential decree for the setting up of the special team.

"The (Indonesian) team would become a counterpart of the Japanese economic team to seek ways to boost economic relationships between the two countries," said Sri.

She also added that the Indonesian and Japanese team would discuss various issues on macro economic, bank restructuring, private investment, small and medium enterprises, decentralization and democratization issues.

She declined to provide details of the team's program.

Japan is Indonesia's largest donor and investor. The country is also the second largest export market for Indonesia.

Japan is also keen to boost its presence in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations amid growing influence launched by rival China.