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)