Soeharto to promote RI trade overseas

Soeharto to promote RI trade overseas

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto plans to go on another
lengthy overseas trip beginning this Friday primarily to promote
Indonesian exports in Europe and Central Asia.

The destination this time will be Germany, particularly
Hannover, where a major international trade fair will be held. In
addition, he will travel to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and
Turkmenistan, three former Soviet republics in Central Asia
regarded as having strong economic potential.

"This will be chiefly an economic visit," Minister/State
Secretary Moerdiono told reporters at his office yesterday when
announcing Soeharto's planned two-week overseas trip.

The President concluded a lengthy overseas trip earlier this
month that took him to Copenhagen, Zagreb and Sarajevo.

According to the plan, Soeharto will be in Germany between
April 1 and 6.

Indonesia has been named Germany's Country Partner at the
Hannover Fair, an honor given to the nation selected by the host
organizer for successes in economic, industrial and technological
development.

More than 100 Indonesian private and state-owned companies
will take part at the fair to showcase Indonesia's successes on
these three fronts.

The fair will encompass more than 60 countries and is expected
to draw in more than 400,000 visitors.

While in Germany, Soeharto will also travel to Bonn, where he
will meet with Chancellor Helmut Kohl and President Roman Herzog.
He will then proceed to Dusseldorf and Dresden.

Soeharto will be in Kazakhstan on April 6-8, Uzbekistan on
April 8-10, and Turkmenistan on April 10-12.

A group of Indonesian business executives will precede
Soeharto's visit in each of these countries to discuss prospects
of trade and economic cooperation.

Heading the Indonesian business delegation will be Hashim
Djojohadikusumo of PT Comexindo, a businessman who has managed to
penetrate the markets of former socialist states in Central Asia
and in Vietnam through barter trade arrangements.

Accompanying Soeharto on this trip will be First Lady Mrs.
Tien Soeharto, Moerdiono and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali
Alatas. State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie
will take part in the German leg of the visit. (emb)