EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

June 13, President Wahid and Economic Ministers: It was a dizzying day on June 13, 2000 when AICC hosted President Wahid and a delegation of ministers and business leaders.  It was Wahid's only public forum while he was in the US. With only a 20 day lead time, AICC turned out combined audiences of over 500 for a Presidential luncheon as well as an Investor Forum, demonstrating that as Indonesia stabilizes further, the business community will have an installed base of capital looking for deals.  In private meetings and public forums, visitors from Indonesia heard what was on the mind of potential investors and those with significant business interests in the country.  The common themes echoed were:  political stability, consistent policy making, contract sanctity, and the rule of law.  Besides the public Investor Forum, AICC organized a private CEO/Senior Executives Meeting with President Wahid and an Importer's Roundtable with Luhut Panjaitan , Indonesia's recently appointed Minister of Industry and Trade. Concrete suggestions were made on how to improve the performance of rubber, botanicals, coffee and spices as well as manufactured metal products.  A trade finance specialist told the Minister that Bank Indonesia should renew its program of guaranteeing letters of credit that was suspended. 
September 13, Farquhar Stirling, President Director of AC Nielsen Indonesia (see page for notes on his remarks)
September 20, Dr. Rizal Ramli, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. Newly appointed to his post, the US-educated economist and former student activist, said Indonesia will take a "go slow" approach to decentralization, especially as it relates to national contracts in energy and mining.  Decentralization of revenue collection will be matched by readiness to absorb the new responsibilities.  The decision-making process for selling IBRA assets has been too convoluted and will be streamlined.  Ramli would like to see the Parliament less involved, believing the process has also been too politicized.  IBRA will remake its asset sales strategy and "depackage" groups of assets.   Megawati and Gus Dur are not rivals but are "like brother and sister". The government must allow the small non-performing loans in its portfolio to be restructured with "haircuts".  Windfall profits from high oil prices would be channeled to rural infrastructure projects that would promote agribusiness, rural job growth and the development of SMEs.   
October 13  "Three Years After the Asian Financial Crisis", half day program in LA, in conjunction with Asia Society
October 19, UNICEF and CARE benefit for Indonesian children, at Walforf Astoria organized with Kartika Soekarno Foundation .

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Editor: Wayne Forrest
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