U.S. business mission due in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): A delegation from 30 American companies is scheduled to make a three-day visit here beginning on Tuesday to meet with Indonesia's new political leadership, ministers, legislators and local businesspeople.

The business mission will be led by Michael Gadbaw, chairman of the U.S.-Indonesia Business Committee, and Ernest Z. Bower, president of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.

"Our upcoming mission will underscore the solid commitment of the U.S. private sector to Indonesia and our confidence in Indonesia's potential for economic growth," said Gadbaw as quoted in a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy here on Sunday.

In addition to introducing American business executives to the new government, the U.S.-Indonesia Business Committee and its Indonesian counterpart, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry U.S. Committee, will hold a roundtable on business partnerships on Tuesday.

The one-day roundtable is an opportunity for the American and Indonesian businesspeople to exchange views and develop plans of action to address their common interests.

Gadbaw, who is also a vice president of General Electric, said his committee had consistently engaged Indonesia through regular missions and ongoing dialogs with Indonesian businesspeople and government officials.

"We look forward to working with President Wahid and Vice President Megawati and their Cabinet," he added.

Bower said the size of the delegation was itself a testament to the tremendous business opportunities in Indonesia.

"We hope to discuss both these opportunities and the needs of the American business community currently operating in and trading with Indonesia," Bower said.

Tony Agus Ardie, chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry U.S. Committee, hoped the mission would result in action between Indonesian and American businesses.

"U.S. businesspeople should realize that Indonesian stability is a precondition to stability in Southeast Asia, including Australia," added Tony, who is also chairman of the Indokor Group.

Tony said American businesspeople, like investors from other countries, were still concerned about security and the quality of law enforcement in Indonesia.

He also hoped American businesspeople would help empower small and medium-sized enterprises through business cooperations, noting these businesses played a pivotal role in enhancing economic, social and political stability in the country.

Among the companies represented in the mission are Enron Asia Pacific, Amoseas Indonesia Inc., Mobil Oil, Exxon, ABB Alstom Power, Bell Atlantic International Wireless, DaimlerChrysler, Edison Mission Energy, BankBoston, Cigna International, Cargill, Ford Motor Company, Oracle Corporation, United Technologies Corp., Black & Veatch Corp., Parsons Asia Pacific and UPLIFT International.