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For Immediate Release October 26, 2007
Contact:
Chris Fedderson
Director, Indonesia Affairs +1 202 416-6719
American Business Delegation Hears from Indonesia’s
Leaders: "We Are Moving Forward"
(Jakarta) The US-ASEAN Business Council is completing a five-day business
mission to Indonesia today that includes 57 delegates from 30 prominent American companies, including one that is a non-profit, non-governmental organization. The mission, led by President of the US-ASEAN Business Council Matthew Daley, Chairman of the US-Indonesia Business Council John “Jack” Gehring, and Vice Chairman of the US-Indonesia Business Council Russell King, arrived in Jakarta on Monday for meetings with Indonesia’s leadership.
Mission co-leader Mr. Matthew Daley, addressing the President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and an audience of 350 from American and Indonesian business last night said, “We are at a special moment in our shared history where the United States and Indonesia have transcended a challenging passage in their bilateral relationship and moving forward with a momentum that was absent as the new century dawned.”
The theme of moving forward and not focusing on the past took on greater meaning during the delegation’s meetings. From Indonesia’s highest foreign policy makers and diplomats, the delegation learned about Indonesia’s more active participation - including through close cooperation with the United States – in important world events.
concentrating on how best to structure an increasingly competitive regime and associated job creation and prosperity.
On this topic, delegation co-leader John “Jack” Gehring said that, “When American companies are choosing where to place new investments, they take much more than written regulations into account. Our investment decisions are made for the long-term. They take into consideration actual implementation of regulations, how the legal system resolves commercial disputes and the receptivity and responsiveness of government officials in addressing impediments to
development.”
On the subject of governance, members of the delegation have proposed and committed to support the establishment of an academic center for governance to be housed at a major Indonesian university. The center will be world-class focal point for research and analysis of governance issues. The delegation received positive reactions to the concept and said that it would work with Indonesia’s government, business and academic leadership to bring this opportunity to Indonesia.
The delegation has met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Vice President Yusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Boediono, Speaker of the House of Representatives Agung Laksono, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, Minister of Trade Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister of State Owned Enterprises Sofyan Djalil, Minister of Industry Fahmi Idris, Investment Coordinating Board Chairman Mr. Muhammad Lutfi, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KADIN/KIKAS) and the American Chamber of Commerce in Indonesia. The delegates will also hold meetings at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
The delegates would also like to recognize the efforts and invaluable support of the American Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia, Hon. Cameron R. Hume and the Ambassador of Indonesia to the United States, H.E. Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat to make the business mission a success.
The companies represented on the mission include: AES Corporation; APCO Worldwide; The Boeing Company; Caterpillar, Inc.; Chevron; the Coca-Cola Company; ConocoPhillips, Inc.; ExxonMobil Corporation; Federal Express; Ford Motor Company; Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.; General Electric Company; the Hills Companies; International Paper; Island Power; JHPIEGO/Johns Hopkins University; Johnson & Johnson; Kraft Foods; Manulife Financial; Marathon Oil Corporation; J. Ray McDermott; Mars, Inc.; Microsoft Corporation; Monsanto Company; Oracle Corporation; QUALCOMM, Inc.; PT HM Sampoerna TBK; STAR Group, Ltd.; TimeWarner, Inc.; UPS; and the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs.
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The US-ASEAN Business Council and affiliates are dedicated to strengthening bilateral and US ASEAN relations and building strong economic and commercial ties. Members of the Council include Fortune 1000 companies in support of promoting trade, investment, and technology cooperation, advancing US ASEAN relations through strong participation in public-private partnerships, and committing to development and corporate social responsibility. The Council's members are represented in diverse industries, including aerospace, agribusiness, automobiles, computers and information technology, consumer goods, energy exploration and development, express delivery services, financial services, health care and pharmaceuticals, media & entertainment, mining, software, and telecommunications.
