RI promotion center in LA

JAKARTA (JP): Tony Agus Ardie (left), chairman of the U.S. Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab (right) met on Tuesday to discuss final preparations for the establishment of a trade promotion center for Indonesian products in Los Angeles.

Tony told reporters after the meeting that the center will focus on the promotion of products from small and medium enterprises.

He added that Los Angeles is a strategic gateway for Indonesian products to enter the huge American market, which bought US$9.33 billion worth of various commodities from Indonesia last year.

Tony said although the promotion center was coordinated by his committee, the facility would be managed by PT Pusat Promosi Indonesia in Jakarta.

Pusat Promosi Indonesia, which is owned jointly by Indonesian and American businesspeople interested in enhancing economic ties between the two countries, will help small and medium-scale enterprises in the country to enter the U.S. market through the Los Angeles promotion center, Tony added.