A secular nation with a large Muslim majority, Indonesia has achieved remarkable economic development success over the past decade and, until the 1997-1998 Asian economic crisis, was considered to be among the best performing East Asian economies. Indonesia grew at a rate of 7% between 1985 and 1995, and reduced its poverty rate from 60% to 11% between 1970 and 1996. Indonesia is rich in natural resources, with oil, gas, and textile being its main export commodities.

Indonesia has recently undergone significant changes in its political and structural reforms. It has pursued major political liberalization and is scheduled to hold its first-ever direct presidential elections this year. It has also embarked on a massive decentralization that should improve the local provision of public goods.

The government is currently making efforts to restructure its banking sector and offshore debt to facilitate its recovery from the crisis. It has recently produced a White Paper that contains Indonesia's priority for economic policies, which if firmly implemented would significantly improve the climate for productive private investment in the country.

For more information on our Indonesia affairs, please contact:
Chris Fedderson
Director, Indonesia Affairs
cfedderson@usasean.org

In addition to our work through our Washington, DC headquarters, the Council also maintains a strong presence in Jakarta. For assistance, please contact:
Saanjay Shamdasani
Representative, Jakarta Office
saanjay@usasean.org

July 6: Consultation with Joe Kaesshaefer, Commercial Counselor, US Embassy in Jakarta. . Washington, DC. Contact: Chris Fedderson at cfedderson@usasean.org

July 6: Luncheon with H.E. Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat, Ambassador to the United States Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. Washington, DC. Contact: Chris Fedderson at cfedderson@usasean.org

more upcoming events

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more headline news

Luncheon in honor of
H.E. Mari Pangestu, Minister of Trade and
The Indonesian TIFA/TIC Delegation

Washington, DC, May 15, 2009

Above: Minister of Trade of Indonesia, H.E. Mari Pangestu, lead a delegation for the US-Indonesia Trade and Investment Framerwork Agrement (TIFA/TIC) discussion with USTR. The US-ASEAN Business Council co-hosted a luncheon with the US Chamber of Commerce in honor of the Minsiter and her delegation. During the Luncheon, Minister Pangestu gave an update on Indonesia's current economic situation and government's incentives to weather the economic condition. For more information on the substance of the luncheon discussion, please contact Chris Fedderson at cfedderson@usasean.org.

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Indonesia Elections Result

The Democratic Party of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won the largest number of seats in the nation’s Parliamentary elections on April 9 according to an unofficial ‘quick count’ today by the Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI). For a complete update, click here (Council members only).

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Business Roundtable and Luncheon with
H.E. Jusuf Kalla, Vice President of Indonesia

Washington, DC, February 5, 2009

Above: Vice President of Indonesia, H.E. Jusuf Kalla (right), talks with Assistant Secretary of State, Hon. Chris Hill (left), at a February 5, 2009 business roundtable and luncheon program honoring the Vice President on his visit to Washington, D.C. to meet the new U.S. administration. Business Council members joined a business roundtable to discuss business climate issues and economic cooperation with the Vice President. For more information on the substance of the business roundtable discussion, please contact Chris Fedderson at cfedderson@usasean.org.

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2008 Business Mission to Indonesia

Above: Vice President Jusuf Kalla addresses members of the US-Indonesia Business Council delegation to Jakarta on October 21, 2008. Members visited Indonesia in the largest American delegation of 2008 reporting to the Government of Indonesia that American companies saw growth opportunities in the region that Indonesia should be moving to take advantage of. The business mission, from October 20-22, 2008 included more than forty representatives from twenty six American companies.

For a press release from the mission, click here.

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US-Indonesia Business Council's
Chair:


William Beddow,
Caterpillar

US-Indonesia Business Council's
Vice Chair:


W. Russel King,
Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc

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GDP: $845.6 billion (2007 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 6.1% (2007 est.)

Export-Import
U.S. export to Indonesia: $ 4.2 billion (2007)
U.S. import from Indonesia: $ 14.3 billion (2007)

Currency Rate

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H.E. Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat
Ambassador of Indonesia to the United States

The Honorable Cameron R. Hume
United States Ambassador to Indonesia, US Embassy - Jakarta