Santiago, Chile – On the sidelines of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Santiago, US President George W. Bush and the US Chamber of Commerce requested that the Indonesian government, represented by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, improve the investment climate in Indonesia.
In addition, the Japanese government expressed its support of the new government and stated it was prepared to increase its investments in Indonesia.
During his meeting with the US Chamber of Commerce, Yudhoyono invited investors to attend the Infrastructure Summit in Jakarta on January 17-18, 2005. Responding to this invitation, the US Chamber of Commerce requested Indonesia to improve the taxation system, security matters and law certainty in Indonesia.
"If improvements takes place, US business people will certainly invest their money in Indonesia," said presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal on Saturday night as reported by Tempo journalist Bambang Harymurti from Santiago. "President Yudhoyono said that he would improve the investment climate in Indonesia," stated Djalal.
On Saturday afternoon (20/11), President Yudhoyono held a meeting with President Bush at the Hyatt Hotel, Santiago. The Indonesian President discussed several economic matters with Bush and congratulated him on his re-election as the US President. During these talks, Yudhoyono stressed the importance of US investment in Indonesia.
Bush said he hoped that Indonesia would honor trade contracts it has with foreign parties so that investors would continue coming to Indonesia.
In addition to economic matters, Yudhoyono told Bush that Indonesian law offocials are making serious efforts to arrest Antonius Wamang, who is alleged to be the murderer of two US citizens and an Indonesian in a shooting incident in Timika, Papua.
The Indonesian President also held a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on the same day. During the meeting, Koizumi stated his support to the new government led by Yudhoyono.
"The Japanese government and Japanese businesspeople will support efforts made by the new government in Indonesia," stated the Japanese foreign ministry in a press release on Sunday (21/11).
The press release also mentioned how the leaders of Japan and Indonesia have agreed to form a joint private and government sector forum of both countries in order to increase investment in Indonesia.
The subjects of investment and an increase of contra-terrorism cooperation were also the main topics in meetings between Yudhoyono and Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin as well as with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Martin requested that Indonesia open up the market for Canadian beef products and also guaranteed the hygiene of Canadian livestock products. Martin and Yudhoyono also discussed the plan of PT Inco mining company to increase its investment to US$250 million in Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Putin requested Yudhoyono support Russian membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
While talking during the first session of the 21 APEC leaders, the Indonesian President emphasized the importance of security cooperation among APEC member countries.
Yudhoyono added that the terror threats were real and terrorists were still active in planning their new attacks. "Therefore, cooperation in eradicating terrorism needs to be improved," he stated. (Bambang Harymurti/Metta Dharmasaputra/AFP/Xinhuanet-Koran Tempo)