RI-U.S. business ties discussed
RI-U.S. business ties discussed
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian and American business leaders remain
optimistic about the prospects of bilateral business
relationships despite the country's multi-dimensional crisis,
according to Tony Agus Ardie, Chairman of the U.S.Committee of
the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).
Tony (front left in the picture above) said on Monday the
outlook of Indonesian-U.S. business ties had been analyzed
comprehensively by business leaders, economists, political
analysts and senior officials of both countries at a one-day
workshop in Washington last week.
"Participants at the meeting noted the political and security
problems as well as the economic woes still dogging the country.
Nevertheless, they remain bullish about the long-term prospects,"
added Tony, who represented Indonesian businesspeople at the
meeting.
The workshop, organized by the United States-Indonesia Society
(Usindo), presented several distinguished panelists, including
American analyst Donald Emmerson of Stanford University; Senator
Craig Thomas, chairman of the sub-committee for East Asian and
Pacific Affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Ralph
Boyce, deputy assistant secretary of state; and James Castle,
president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jakarta.
Among the Indonesian speakers were Indonesian Ambassador to
the U.S. Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti (front right); Lt-Gen Agus
Widjojo, the Indonesian Military chief of staff for territorial
affairs; Edwin Gerungan, chairman of the Indonesian Bank
Restructuring Agency; Laksamana Sukardi, a consultant and adviser
to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri; political analyst
Aristides Katoppo; Ryaas Rasyid, an expert on regional autonomy;
Nurcholis Madjid, rector of the Paramadina Mulya University; and
Caltex president Humayunbosha.
Other distinguished participants who contributed to the
discussions included Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi
Shihab; assistant secretary for defense Paul Wolfowitz (front
center); as well as Usindo's chairman Ambassador Paul Cleveland
and vice chairman Ambassador Edward Masters.