Promoting Indonesian business abroad

Promoting Indonesian business abroad

During her visit to Jakarta, Pakistan's Prime Minister Benazir
Bhutto expressed her country's need for foreign investment.
Bhutto mentioned energy, oil and natural gas, telecommunications
and tourism as being among the sectors with the greatest
potential. We believe there are many more sectors which
Indonesian businesses could explore.

At present we are still occupied with calculating the current
account deficit in our balance of payments due to bloated
imports. A number of steps have been taken to curb imports and
channel our funds towards productive sectors. Various levies have
been eliminated, coordination between the government and private
business is being improved and regulations have been issued to
create a climate which is conducive to business.

The government should also organize a grand conference to
promote Indonesia's potential. Such a campaign would be effective
since foreign businesses would participate and foreign speakers
could be invited. At the same time such a conference would help
give Indonesian businesses, often regarded as too home-oriented,
greater access to international possibilities.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta