PT Produksi Indonesia to hold export promotion

PT Produksi Indonesia to hold export promotion

JAKARTA (JP): Under the patronage of President Soeharto, a
number of private Indonesian companies have set up PT Produksi
Indonesia (Prodin), a company that will conduct export promotion
activities throughout the world.

"The President welcomes the establishment of the company and
is willing to act as its patron," State Minister of Research and
Technology B.J. Habibie told reporters after meeting with the
President at the Bina Graha presidential office here yesterday.

Habibie, who is also chairman of the Management Board of
Strategic Industries (BPIS), said that in its first operation,
the company will organize various trade exhibitions overseas and
help finance local companies that participate in the events.

"On April 3, for example, the new company will get involved in
a trade expo in Hannover, Germany, which will be opened by the
President," he said.

He said that the new company has thus far collected some Rp 8
billion (US$36.38 million) to help finance Indonesian companies
which are interested in taking part in the Hannover Fair, at
which 800,000 are expected to visit.

"Executives of the company are also committed to collecting Rp
200 billion to help finance its activities in the coming months,"
Habibie said.

He said that the new company will have Sudono Salim, chairman
of the widely diversified Salim Group, as chief commissioner and
Adi S. as president.

According to Habibie, state companies will not be allowed
equity in Prodin unless Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad
approves their participation. (fhp)