UK TRADE MINISTER VISITING RI

Jakarta, Nov 3 (ANTARA) - United Kingdom (UK) Trade Minister Lord Davies of Abersoch is to visit Indonesia on November 3-4 to encourage the Indonesian government to resist the temptation to adopt protectionist policies.

According to a press release received here on Tuesday, Lord Davies of Abersoch, Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Businesses will be the first UK government minister to hold talks with the new Indonesian administration since the recent elections were held.
His trip is the second leg of a visit that also saw him visit Malaysia.He will meet the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Trade to support the government in their efforts to maintain open markets.

He will also meet the Minister for Energy to show support for UK companies in Indonesia.

"Indonesia is a growing economic power in the region and one of a number of countries that are likely to become increasingly important in the future," he said.

"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," the minister added.

"Keeping borders open is the only way to increase prosperity. I want to express my support for the Indonesian Government and also hear from British companies what more we can do to support them. I am equally keen that Indonesian companies should see the UK as the business partner of choice." Lord Davies said.

Last year, Indonesia's GDP grew by 6.1 per cent. The economy has been helped in part by a $5billion stimulus package. 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.