RI's economic outlook remains good: Keating

JAKARTA (JP): The governor of the U.S state of Oklahoma, Frank Keating, said yesterday Indonesia's economic outlook remained good despite the currency crisis.

Keating said the currency turmoil, which had been affecting the country since early July, would not last long and would not affect trade ties between the two countries.

"Indonesian economic fundamentals are strong, and we are still looking forward to increasing a trade and investment relationship with the country," Keating said at a press briefing.

Keating, who is leading a delegation of officials and businessmen, held the news conference after a business luncheon hosted by Tony Agus Ardie, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry U.S. Committee (Kikas).

He believed Indonesia, with its sound economic fundamentals, would be able to cope with the crisis soon and, like other emerging countries in the region, investing in Indonesia would be a smart investment.

"I still believe Indonesia will be a significant player in the region in the next century," said Keating, who was leading a trade mission here from Oklahoma.

He said Oklahoma was interested in importing certain commodities from Indonesia, such as processed timber, furniture, and high-tech products.

Oklahoma exported almost US$29 million to Indonesia last year, a 71 percent increase from 1995.

Its exports of industrial machinery rose by $8.3 million last year and transportation equipment rose by $7.7 million, he said.

During his three-day visit, which will end tomorrow, Keating and officials of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce are scheduled to meet with Minister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana, Minister of Industry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia J. Stapleton Roy and local prominent business leaders. (das)