Rahardi leads trade mission

JAKARTA (JP): An Indonesian trade mission led by Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan will visit Germany on Wednesday to promote trade, investment and tourism here.

Rahardi said on Tuesday that 30 businessmen, several senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, Bank Indonesia and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture would attend a meeting in Germany called "The Indonesia of Today".

He said that about 400 German businessmen would also attend the meeting, adding that he hoped it would provide them with a clear view of prospects in the Indonesian economy.

"The current crisis in Russia has affected many German companies and they are now seeking to relocate their investments to Southeast Asia. We want to be ahead of other countries in the region," he said.

Former minister of tourism, post and telecommunications Joop Ave, who currently serves as a presidential advisor on tourism affairs, will address the meeting during the one-day visit.

The meeting has been organized by the German financing company Kreditanstalt fr Wiederaufbau (KfW). (das)