September 24, 2007

U.S. Under Secretary of State Jeffery Visit Advances U.S.-Indonesia Economic Dialogue

Bahasa Indonesia

September 12, 2007 -  Reuben Jeffery III, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs visited the cities of Jakarta and Medan, September 9-12, 2007.  During his visit, Under Secretary Jeffery met with key Indonesian officials, including Vice President Jusuf Kalla.  He visited the ASEAN Secretariat and met with Indonesia’s Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) and the Central Bank (Bank Indonesia).  The Under Secretary also awarded a $540,000 grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to Perkebunan Nusantara III (PTPN III), a state-owned palm oil producer in support of a proposed integrated biodiesel processing and energy production facility.  The Under Secretary spoke to a joint session of the American and Indonesian Chambers of Commerce (AmCham/KADIN).  He also met with U.S. investors active in Indonesia including Citi and GE, finalists for the Secretary of State’s 2007 Award for Corporate Excellence for their corporate social responsibility programs. 

In Medan, Under Secretary Jeffery visited the Palm Oil Research Center and toured its model biofuel production facility.  He also met with the Governor of North Sumatra Rudolf Pardede and his economic team.  He surveyed the region’s success in developing palm oil and discussed sustainable development practices with NGOs.

“As large democracies with market-oriented economies, Indonesia and the United States are natural partners, with common interests in many areas.  It is critical to American interests that democracy succeed in the world’s fourth-most populous nation, and that success will depend to a significant degree upon the success of Indonesia’s economy” Jeffery said.  Regarding future U.S.-Indonesia economic cooperation, Jeffrey observed, “Working regionally through ASEAN and APEC, and bilaterally between U.S. and Indonesia, we can improve conditions in our both our countries, particularly through a focus on trade, investment, energy security and promoting a clean environment.”

As the Under Secretary for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs, Reuben Jeffery III is the State Department’s senior economic official. Mr. Jeffery advises the Secretary of State on international economic policy, and leads the work of the Department on issues ranging from trade, agriculture and aviation to bilateral relations with America's economic partners.

Mr. Jeffery previously served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Economic Affairs at the White House National Security Council.   Mr. Jeffery spent eighteen years working for Goldman, Sachs & Co., where he managed Goldman Sachs offices in Paris and London.

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