People-U.S.-Bower

People-U.S.-Bower

JP/20/BOWER

Bower: Building trust between the U.S. and RI

Yenni Djahidin Contributor/Washington Brilliant fall sunlight shone through the white blinds into a small office in one of the most prestigious addresses in Washington, DC.

The wall was still bare. Paintings and framed pictures were still scattered, waiting to be put up to be a new office for Ernest Z. Bower.

Ernie, as he is known around DC and southeast Asia, had just moved a day earlier. For 10 years he was the president of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.

He has been shuttling back and forth between Washington and ASEAN countries as a go-between for the American business community and leaders in the region. Now he is forming a business partnership with Karen Brooks, a former White House director for Asia.

"We both feel very passionate about the need for the U.S. and Southeast Asia to be more engaged with one another, and I believe that business has a tremendous potential to do that," Bower told The Jakarta Post recently.

He said the new company, BrooksBowerAsia, would act as a bridge to help American companies increase their investment in the region.

Established in early October, Bower said, the company so far had represented four multinational companies. Their target clients, he said, were mostly American companies, but they also were hired by Asian companies wanting to do business in other Asian countries.

In Indonesia, he said, they would invest in three sectors: oil and gas, electric power and agriculture.

Bower is optimistic about the future of investment in Indonesia. "We think Indonesia is actually a great place to be right now. We actually think we'll be working a lot in Indonesia," he said.

He said he was hopeful the administration of president-elect Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono (SBY) would create a more friendly environment for business. Bower wanted the new administration to make an effort to clamp down on corruption and strengthen the administration of the rule of law.

"I think corruption is a major problem in Indonesia and the government will have to do more," he said. He explained that Indonesia needed to speed up the process so that new investors who did not know Indonesia well would not hesitate put their money there.

"It will be interesting to observe the first hundred days of SBY's government to see what he lays out as his platform and then what action he takes to back that up," he said.

Bower said he understood the new president would have some problems working with Indonesian legislators, but he said SBY had the authority to take issues to the people and make important steps to create a pro-business environment in Indonesia.

When asked about allegations relating to American companies perpetuating poverty abroad, human rights abuses and their willingness to cooperate with the military, he said American businesses had a bad reputation.

Businesses were concerned about maintaining good international reputations because any bad press would affect their profits. Meanwhile, many U.S. businesses did not get credit for their work in communities.

However, Bower said security was a big issue for American companies operating in Indonesia. "They have tried to find a secure working environment for their companies and that sometimes involves, as you know, working with the Indonesian military." said a man who likes rugby, marathons and triathalon.

Bower said there were now good signs that the new president had a clear intention of building up the institution of the police. In future, the police, not the military, would be able to keep local law and order, he said.

"And that's why they (the businesspeople) have been very strong and supportive of the Indonesian government in that direction. They have also asked the American government to give as much aid as possible to train Indonesian police forces," he said.

Asked about the ongoing case involving the arrest of American mining company Newmont executives, Ernie said, "It's a difficult situation."

While he didn't know details of the problem, Bower said he wished there were a better institution to monitor and implement regulations.

"This arrest sends a mixed message to investors who don't want to be put in jail, but want to be good corporate citizens."

Bower said during his time as president of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, he had maintained open communication with Indonesian leaders, a relationship built on trust.

They were able to talk openly and honestly about problems, he said. "American companies could understand the problems the Indonesian government was facing. They did have more patience because they understood," he said.

Because of the open dialog, businesses were not surprised when the government made decisions they may have disagreed with.

"I am proud of that, building trust between the United States and Indonesia, it's very worthwhile," he said.