RI-Australia leaders to meet in Bali

RI-Australia leaders to meet in Bali

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Business and political leaders will gather in Bali next week
for a conference jointly hosted by the Indonesia Australia
Business Council (IABC) and its sister organization in Australia,
according to the IABC.

Topping the list of speakers at the conference, which has not
been held for four years, is Indonesia's Coordinating Minister
for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro.

"The minister has perhaps been reluctant to address public
gatherings in the past, but confirmed his attendance saying the
event was 'very important'," the IABC said in a statement.

The conference, titled Indonesia: The Horizon Beyond, aims to
address the immediate issues and long-term goals faced by
domestic and foreign businesspeople in the archipelago. The
concept was inspired by prominent Indonesian businessman Julius
Tahija.

IABC president Noke Kiroyan said the resumption of the
conference demonstrated that investors remained interested in
business opportunities in Indonesia.

"Hopefully, events such as this conference will facilitate
investment in Indonesia and show that the government is making
the necessary reforms to attract capital," he said.

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will also speak at the
conference along with the country's Minister for Industry and
Trade Rini M. Soewandi.

The three-day conference at the Bali International Convention
Center, starting on March 13, will also feature speakers from the
IABC's sister organization, the Australia Indonesia Business
Council.

The Australian Minister for Trade Mark Vaile has confirmed his
attendance.

A session on regional autonomy will be addressed by Ryaas
Rasyid from the Indonesian Society of Government Studies, Andi
Mallarangeng from the Partnership for Governance Reform and Kevin
Evans from the UNDP.

Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) chairman Theo Toemion
will give an update on regulatory moves to protect and enhance
foreign investment.

Former presidential spokesperson Wimar Witoelar, who is to
take up a lecturing appointment in Australia, will deliver the
after dinner speech on the second day.