U.S., RI meet on piracy

U.S., RI meet on piracy

U.S. and Indonesian trade officials have discussed intellectual
property rights and investment along with efforts to fight
corruption and illegal logging in the Asian country, U.S.
officials said in Washington on Wednesday.

The talks on Monday and Tuesday formed part of a regular
dialogue under a bilateral Trade and Investment Framework
Agreement (TIFA), which for some countries has resulted in a free
trade pact with the United States.

Barbara Weisel, assistant U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for
Southeast Asia and Pacific affairs, and Halida Miljani, special
assistant to Indonesian Trade Minister Mari E. Pangestu, held
"extremely constructive" talks, the USTR office said in a
statement.

"The bilateral agenda included discussion about work under a
joint action plan to improve intellectual property protection in
Indonesia," it said.

"They also discussed addressing market access issues related
to customs and agriculture and measures to improve Indonesia's
investment climate, including the government's anti-corruption
campaign, for which the U.S. government expressed its strong
support."

The USTR office said that Weisel and Halida also discussed the
possible pursuit of an accord to combat illegal logging, which
remains endemic in Indonesia's rainforests. -- AFP