RI-China small business promotion

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesia-China Foundation for Economic, Social and Cultural Cooperation will discuss cooperation among the small and medium-scale businesses of the two countries in its annual meeting in Beijing from Aug. 2 to Aug. 7.

"After 10 years of conducting direct trade between Indonesia and China, it is about time for the two nations to promote the involvement of their small-scale and medium-scale businesses in economic cooperation," the foundation's executive chairman, Namawi, said here yesterday.

The head of the foundation's Industry, Trade and Investment Division, Chris D. Walean, said that the business cooperation between Indonesia and China increased sharply after the resumption of direct trade in 1985.

The two countries, which froze diplomatic relations in 1967, normalized their ties in 1990, several years after the direct trade resumption sponsored by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"The two-way trade between Indonesia and China was recorded at only US$330 million in 1985 and increased to US$2.65 billion in 1994," Chris said.

He said the trade could be increased further if the two countries overcame obstacles, including a lack of information on each other's products and the prohibition on the use of Chinese characters in business catalogs in Indonesia.

Indonesia's exports to China consist mostly of oil and plywood.

Nawawi said Indonesia's delegation to the foundation's annual meeting will consist of 50 executives led by Sukamdani Sahid Gitosardjono, the foundation's chairman.

Various issues, including investment opportunities and protection, as well as trade, will be discussed at the meeting, he said.

The difficulties Chinese face in getting visas to Indonesia will also be discussed.

He also said the foundation plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the resumption of direct trade between the two countries. (31)