http://www.us-asean.org/Press_Releases/2006/indo_mission_oct.htm
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U.S. Business Delegation Sees More Economic Reform with Democracy
(Jakarta) The US-ASEAN Business Council is completing a four-day
business mission to Indonesia today that includes 46 delegates from 22
prominent American companies. The mission, led by President of the US-ASEAN
Business Council Matthew Daley, Chairman of the US-Indonesia Business Council
Robert Haines and Vice Chairman of the US-Indonesia Business Council Russell
King arrived in Jakarta on Monday for meetings with senior government
officials. This follows a US-ASEAN Business Council mission focusing on
Information and Communications Technology last week.
In discussions with Indonesia's leadership, delegates have seen that
several years of robust democracy and two years of the Yudhoyono administration
have only expanded and deepened economic reform in Indonesia. There has been
progress on investment issues of regulatory clarity, fair taxation,
transparency, anti-corruption, and legal certainty. Gains in improving the
investment climate have been firm and have brought into focus the work now
remaining. The US-Indonesia Business Council, which will also sign its first
accord with the Government of Indonesia today through the Investment
Coordinating Board (BKPM), has assured government leaders that it can be relied
on as a partner in this work.
The American business delegation found strong agreement here that
democracy contributes to economic reform. Matthew Daley, mission co-leader said
on Thursday, "Democracy is not just a political choice, it is also an economic
one. This nation has opened up new economic opportunities through democracy and
the direct election of a capable, reform-minded President. Indonesia is finding
that its democratic choices are also strengthening its economic partnerships
with the United States and other nations with common goals and vision. This
includes tangible, enduring relationships with American business and the
American people."
The delegation has met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice
President Yusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Boediono,
Coordinating Minister for Political, Security and Legal Affairs Adm. Widodo,
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Minister of
Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu, Minister for
the Environment Rachmat Witoelar, Minister of State Owned Enterprises
Sugiharto; Minister for Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman, the
Department of Health and the Department of National Planning (BAPPENAS).
Delegates are being told by government leaders that this is a good time
to invest in Indonesia. "Our discussions with senior government officials have
been remarkable for their candor" said mission co-leader Robert Haines on
Thursday. He added, "The leadership understands more than ever the needs of
investors and our discussions tend to turn to how we will cooperate on the work
ahead. We are pleased with the responsiveness of the senior leadership and
recognize that partnering with them has accomplished a tremendous amount in
improving the investment climate and this is the model we should continue."
The companies represented on the mission include: AES Corporation;
Cargill Inc.; Chevron; the Coca-Cola Company; ConocoPhillips; ExxonMobil;
Federal Express; Ford Motor Company; Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.;
General Electric Company; JHPIEGO; Johnson & Johnson; Marathon Oil Corporation;
McDermott International; Monsanto Company; Microsoft Corporation; Oracle
Corporation; Qualcomm; HM Sampoerna; TimeWarner Inc.; UPS; and Uplift
International.
