US, Indonesia to Foster Trade Cooperation: US Ambassador

Jakarta (Antara Bali) -- US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake said that the trade sector will play a key role in strengthening ties between the United States and Indonesia in the future.

While giving a public lecture at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java, on Wednesday, Blake stated that the reason for optimism in relations between the two countries was the growth seen in their bilateral trade and the prospects for even higher growth in the future, according to the U. S. Embassy's official website.  

Through a comprehensive partnership, the United States cooperates bilaterally, regionally, and globally to promote economic growth, sustainable development, and poverty alleviation. One of the ways to achieve these was by supporting an open and transparent, rules-based international trading system.

The U.S. supported greater Indonesian participation in global bodies, such as the G-20, which took place last weekend. We seek to reduce barriers to trade and investment through mechanisms such as our Trade and Investment Working Group, Blake noted.

Despite the recent double digit growth in trade, Blake pointed out: "We've still got a long way to go. Indonesia is currently our 34th largest trading partner. We welcome its initiative to establish a U.S.-Indonesia Business Council based in Washington DC. Moreover, we have also held workshops to help to support the development of small and medium enterprises."

Support from the U. S. has helped Indonesian companies to purchase 200 new airplanes to serve Indonesia's growing demand for air travel and 100 new locomotives to serve Indonesian rail companies.  

Indonesia's future economic promise and its growing middle class are expected to offer American companies significant opportunities for expansion for years to come, the website said.  

The ambassador further added that to sustain both nations' economies, they need more sustainable, renewable energy. "We are working together to promote clean energy technology and policies, both to bolster Indonesia's energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," Blake affirmed.

He also said that American businesses support the development of geothermal and clean energy resources, as well as the delivery of power to remote areas. "We're also working towards helping Indonesia attract more investment in the oil and gas sector," he stated.

According to the ambassador, "In the last year, we welcomed two major clean energy investments, including Ormat Technologies and PT Geo Pacific, taking a majority stake in the $250 million Hu'u Dompu geothermal power generation project. We also purchased the revolutionary zinc-air battery technology from Fluidic Energy, which entered into a new contract for $79 million with Indosat.

"Our collaborations will help both countries develop and sustain cleaner energy options well into the future. This will help our people, as well as the health of our planet," he remarked. (WDY)