Jakarta – Finance Minister Chatib Basri and US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker led a high-level meeting of American and Indonesian business leaders on Saturday, which was focused on ways in which the US and Indonesian private sectors could better collaborate to encourage growth in the future.

"I believe that there is great potential for our two countries to do more business together," said Secretary Pritzker in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post.

More than 15 CEOs of major American and Indonesian firms engaged in business across a broad range of sectors, including oil and gas, commodities, information technology, banking, healthcare and aviation, took part in the meeting which was part of the US-Indonesia Commercial Dialogue.

This was the first time the US Secretary of Commerce participated in a Commercial Dialogue meeting. "Our bilateral trade last year grew to more than US$26 billion, but we can do much more," said Pritzker.

"We have seen many American companies enter the Indonesian market in recent years, and we know that we have vast opportunities to bring more trade, investment and prosperity to both our countries."

Pritzker said the input of private sector leaders was needed to take partnerships of the two countries to a higher level. "I look forward to working together to strengthen the commercial relationship between the US and Indonesia," she said.

During the meeting, private sector business leaders exchanged views on building bilateral commercial relations and deepening economic ties between the two countries. Leaders from both sides agreed that more regular business forums and trade programs were needed to expand bilateral trade and investment. (ebf)