U.S. business mission due in Jakarta

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.