U.S. reaffirms commitment to help RI
U.S. reaffirms commitment to help RI
JAKARTA (JP): The U.S. government on Friday reaffirmed its
commitment to support Indonesia's efforts to revive its crisis-
torn economy and to continue with the political reform process.
Deputy U.S. Secretary of Commerce Robert Mallett said that
Indonesia was a very important economy to the U.S.
"Indonesia has over 200 million people. It will be one of the
largest democracies in the world. Indonesians are not being
ignored by the U.S. and can't be ignored," he told reporters at a
press conference following a luncheon gathering with the U.S.
business community in Jakarta.
Mallett visited the capital for a couple of days before
heading for the leaders meeting at the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
He said that Indonesia's economic reform programs had been
well received by the international investment community.
He explained that the U.S. would continue to support
Indonesia's economic reform programs either through additional
support provided through the International Monetary Fund or
through various forms of technical assistance particularly in
helping small and medium-sized businesses in dealing with the
current crisis.
The Congress had just recently approved President Bill
Clinton's proposal to replenish the IMF with new financing of
around US$18 billion, Mallett pointed out.
Mallett also said that his country would continue to open its
door wide for Indonesia's exports to help the latter revive its
economy.
"The U.S. has been a very strong export market for Indonesia
and we continue to have our doors open to Indonesian export
products," he added.
He also said that the U.S. is preparing plans on how to help
redesign repayment terms of Asian companies saddled with massive
overseas loans.
"I know the President will talk about this latter in the week
at the APEC summit," he said.
"I know this market will grow and return to its former
prosperity. Our message is that we believe it will be there."
He explained that there wouldn't be an instant turnaround but
what was important in boosting foreign investors confidence was
that the country was moving in the right direction with its
economic reforms in creating stronger economic fundamentals.
Asked when U.S. investors would start reinvesting in the
country, he said: "I don't know that. I wish I had a crystal
ball."
"But I think business people wanting to invest in this region
of the world most like to see predictability, transparency, a
strong court system, lack of corruption, and stability in
government," he said.
Asked to comment on the current Special Session of the
People's Consultative Assembly, he said: "I'm not to comment on
Indonesian domestic affairs." (rei)