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.