RI, Taiwan expand cooperation

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian and visiting Taiwanese businessmen held a one-day meeting here yesterday to discuss new joint venture opportunities in manufacturing, agroindustry, tourism, telecommunications, mining and energy.

The meeting, held under the framework of the 11th annual Joint Economic Cooperation Conference, was also attended by Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs P.K. Chiang who joined the 55-member business delegation from Taipei.

The delegation, headed by Yao-Sheng Chen, Chairman of the Indonesian Committee of the Chinese National Association ofIndustry and Commerce, arrived here on Thursday for a five-day visit which will include Surabaya and Bali.

The meeting yesterday also discussed bilateral cooperation in small business development programs.

Taiwan's Export-Import Bank pledged a US$10 million loan to helping develop small businesses in Indonesia under an agreement with Bank Indonesia (central bank) which was signed soon after the opening session of the meeting yesterday

Under the bilateral cooperation, 56 Indonesian small businessmen will soon leave for Taiwan to attend an entrepreneurship training program. (vin)