RI, Germany economic forum setup

RI, Germany economic forum setup

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
Habibie and Germany's Federal Economic Minister Gunther Rexrodt
have signed a document to inaugurate the Indonesia-Germany
Economy and Technology Forum.

"The document we signed just now was written out in Bahasa
Indonesia. The English and German versions were signed by
President Soeharto and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in Bonn on
April 4," Habibie told reporters after signing the document
Friday night.

Soeharto was in Germany early this month for a six-day visit
to jointly inaugurate the Hanover Masse 1995, an annual
industrial fair, in which Indonesia became Germany's co-partner,
with German President Roman Herzog.

Rexrodt, accompanied by about 30 representatives from leading
German corporations, has been in Indonesia since April 8, for an
eight-day visit.

Habibie explained that the forum will meet once a year and
will be held alternately in Indonesia and Germany.

"The forum will also involve the private sector of the two
countries. The governments will act only as facilitators," the
minister, who is also the chairman of the Agency of Technology
Assessment and Implementation, said.

The Economy and Technology Forum will be jointly chaired by
Habibie and Rexrodt in their official capacities.

Rexrodt, on Thursday, told local reporters that several German
businesses are negotiating with their Indonesian counterparts
over several sizable projects in the telecommunication, pharmacy,
energy, aircraft manufacturing and transportation sectors. (hdj)