VIVAnews – British Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business Lord Davies of Abersoch is visiting Indonesia on Nov. 3 – 4. In the visit, Davies urges the Indonesian government to aviod protectionism, which may hamper the free trade commitment.
The British embassy in Jakarta stated in a press release that Davies is the first British minister that will meet the Indonesian newly formed government.
He is meeting Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu to affirm the British support to the Indonesian government on the commitment to maintain the free market.
Davis is also meeting the energy and mineral resources minister to show UK’s support for the British oil and energy companies in Indonesia.
“We have identified this country as a high-growth market and one that has great potential for UK exporters. Indonesian companies can also benefit from trading and doing business in the UK. Keeping borders open is the only way to increase prosperity,” said Davies.
Indonesia’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2008 has grown 6.1 percent. The economic condition has been supported by the stimulus package valuing US$5 billion. The UK thinks that “the country has a growing and affluent middle class of some 20 million people that has considerable buying power. British retailers are well represented in the country.”
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Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman
