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RI, US explore trade, investment opportunities in Batam
A delegation of US companies and associations is sounding out trade and investment opportunities in a two-day visit to Batam, highlighting their interest in deepening commercial and diplomatic ties with cities across Indonesia
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delegation of US companies and associations is sounding out trade and investment opportunities in a two-day visit to Batam, highlighting their interest in deepening commercial and diplomatic ties with cities across Indonesia.
'A robust US-Indonesia trade and investment relationship is a cornerstone to our bilateral relations and will help to promote economic growth and greater prosperity for both our countries,' US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O. Blake said Thursday.
'Strengthening our commercial relationship is a top priority for me and my entire embassy team,' he said in a release made available to The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Blake was speaking on the sidelines of the Batam visit, during which he led a delegation of representatives from 12 US companies and business associations.
'US investors are among the largest in Indonesia, including right here in Batam, where McDermott's 1970 investment in its fabrication facility helped to usher in Batam's extraordinary transformation into the industrial and manufacturing center it is today,' the envoy said.
During the visit, Blake and delegates met with Riau Islands governor Muhammad Sani, Batam mayor Ahmad Dahlan, Batam Indonesia Free Trade Zone Authority chairman Mustofa Widjaja and local business leaders.
The meetings were said to have provided a forum for the US delegates to build important ties with local government and business leaders and explore trade and investment opportunities in Batam and its surrounding area.
Blake also visited Caterpillar's new manufacturing facility in Tanjung Uncang and Kinema Studios, an Indonesian production studio that has developed cutting-edge animation, production and post-production works with US film and television clients and partners.
The ambassador is scheduled to travel to Bintan Island to visit the Bintan Industrial Estate and Honeywell Corporation's advanced avionics and aviation technology manufacturing facility on Friday.
Among US companies and associations participating in the visit to Batam are AECOM, Amcham Indonesia, APR Energy, Caterpillar, G4S Security Services, GE, Honeywell, MSD, OshKosh and Stonhard. (ebf)(++++)
