Mega forms team to boost economic ties with Japan

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.