U.S. and Finland remain confident in RI economy
JAKARTA (JP): A group of visiting, top American executives said here yesterday they remained confident in the long-term future of the Indonesian economy despite the social unrest in the nation's major cities.
The American Ambassador to Indonesia, Stapleton J. Roy, said his country's confidence was based on the quality of businesspeople and on the government's commitment to carry out the economic reform programs set by the International Monetary Fund.
"Obviously, this will create some difficult problems but the international community is interested in working with Indonesia to ease the people's burden created by the steps taken necessary to get the economy function well again," he said after the delegation's meeting with Minister of Trade and Industry Mohamad "Bob" Hasan.
Roy accompanied the business delegation consisting of 28 key executives of major United States-based multinational companies which commenced its three-day visit yesterday.
The delegation is participating in a three-day discussion conducted by the United States Committee of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.
The Third Roundtable Discussion is being held at Jakarta's Regent Hotel and will end Saturday with concrete proposals for agro-business development.
Participants include Orrit Frenkel, a senior manager of General Electric Company, the Federal Express Corp. vice president Scott Hallford, and the vice president of Cigna International, Theresa Carney.
Kadin's U.S. Committee Chairman Tony Agus Ardie said yesterday the delegation visited the country also to check on widespread international reports of social unrests in Indonesia.
"They came to see for themselves what was happening in the country ... yes, there are riots in Medan, but to America that is petty not representing the macro-picture," Tony said.
Roy, however, said his country was concerned about some reports of human rights violations in Indonesia.
"As we spent some time in Indonesia, we see that the Indonesians themselves are trying to correct problems with the human rights," he said.
The business delegation also pledged yesterday it would help the country develop its agro-industry sector and human resources.
"We will focus on working with the government in importation and distribution of products, especially the development of infrastructure and technology transfer on fertilization," James Nolan Reimer, the country manager of Cargill Holdings, said
Separately, Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and European Affairs, Ole Norrback, said Indonesia's current economic turmoil was similar to that in Finland in the early 1990s.
Norrback, who started his five-day visit here Tuesday, said yesterday Finnish companies were committed to staying in Indonesia despite the crisis.
"My single most important message to you is that Finland is not abandoning Indonesia. I don't see Finnish companies backtracking from your country. Instead I want to enhance trade and economic cooperation," he said. (das)