Ministers to meet at RI-German forum

Ministers to meet at RI-German forum

JAKARTA (JP): German economics minister Guenter Rexrodt and
Indonesian State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie
are scheduled to open Indonesia-Germany forum's second meeting
Saturday, to strengthen bilateral economic relations.

The Germany embassy stated yesterday that Rexrodt would arrive
today, before German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his 100-member
delegation arrive Saturday for their four-day visit.

The statement said the Indonesia-Germany Forum for Economy and
Technology was formed when President Soeharto visited Germany in
April 1995 to promote bilateral trade.

The forum held its first meeting in October 1995 in Germany.

The Indonesia-Germany forum meeting is expected to stimulate
economic cooperation between the two countries.

Indonesian exports to Germany reached US$1.3 billion in 1995,
rising from $493 million in 1989. German exports to Indonesia
rose to $2.3 billion in 1995 from $920 million in 1989.

Total approved German investment in Indonesia was $3.5 billion
for 76 projects as of April 1995. The projects included nine
chemical and 24 consumer goods plants.

Germany has helped Indonesia develop its strategic industries,
and increase its technology in manufacturing, telecommunication,
shipping, railway, aircraft component and other industries.

Indonesia took part in the Hanover Fair '95 in Germany to mark
the countries' warm relationship.

Rexrodt is scheduled to visit the Bumi Serpong Damai housing
complex in West Java, where four German projects are to be
developed. They include the German School, the German Center for
Industry and Trade, the German House to help small and medium-
size German investors do business in Indonesia, and the German
Industrial Park and Vocational School. (jsk)