Ministers to attend trade workshop

JAKARTA (JP): Four cabinet ministers and the central bank governor will present their keynote speeches at a three-day workshop of the Ministry of Trade, which is to begin today.

"Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto will present his paper on the government's policy on industry and trade, aimed to promote the efficiency and competitiveness of Indonesia's products in the era of free trade," a trade ministry spokeswoman, Lily Rosyana, said in a statement over the weekend.

State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie will discuss policies on technological development, Minister of Trade Satrio B. Joedono on trade policies, Minister of Manpower Abdul Latief on productivity enhancement and Governor of Bank Indonesia J. Soedradjad Djiwandono on macroeconomy policies supporting competition.

The trade ministry's first echelon officials and some business executives will speak on the second and third days of the workshop which is to take place at the ministry's office.

Fadel Muhammad, Hari Darmawan, Steve Sondakh, Dewi Motik Pramono and Bob Sadino will be among the speakers.

All papers and topics to be discussed in the workshop will focus on free trade.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has committed to liberalizing trade among its members by the year 2003, while the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation will start liberalization in trade and investment by 2010 for its developed member economies and by 2020 for its developing members. (kod)