Newly Elected Indonesian President Addressed U.S. Chamber of Commerce

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Friday the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hosted a live, interactive videoconference with newly elected Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. President Yudhoyono was joined by his economic team for his first address to the U.S. business community since taking office.

"The U.S. business community stands ready to be your friend and ally in support of [Indonesia's] economic goals" said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue.

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) also participated in Friday's address. "President Yudhoyono is putting Indonesia on the right track," said Sen. Baucus. "His emphasis on economic growth, his promise to begin an intensive dialogue with foreign investors to help create jobs and improve the business climate, and his commitment to launch an anti-corruption campaign that he will lead personally – all of these measures send strong positive signals to the world that Indonesia is a good place to invest."

Congressmen Dan Burton (R-IN) and Robert Wexler (D-FL), Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Indonesian Caucus, welcomed the new administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. "We applaud Indonesia's peaceful steps to institute and consolidate progressive political, constitutional, and economic reforms. Congress is becoming increasingly aware of the importance of Indonesia and the need for a sustained and comprehensive U.S. policy of engagement. By helping Indonesia, the United States can help democracy gain a foothold in the world's largest Muslim country. The positive role that U.S business and investment can play is enormous."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses of every size, sector and region.

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You can watch the archived videoconference by visiting
http://www.uschamber.com/webcasts/international.htm