It said that the purpose of the trip was two fold: to promote education co-operation and exchange between the U.S. and Indonesia; and, to learn about private investment opportunities for U.S. companies, especially in the energy, infrastructure, and agricultural sectors.
During the course of the day the Ambassador had discussions with a wide range of leaders from the public and private sectors. The itinerary included a site visit by helicopter to a ConocoPhillips oil and gas facility in the western part of the province. A significant portion of the education related visits was devoted to answering questions from university and high school students.
The Ambassador was very impressed by the economic growth and investment potential in the province. While there is already significant presence by U.S. companies, most notably ConocoPhillips and Cargill, the potential for more investment is substantial. South Sumatra has considerable reserves of energy resources, particularly geothermal.
In addition, agricultural products, rubber and palm oil, comprise a large percentage of exports. Investments in the province`s infrastructure are rapidly increasing in order to exploit and develop these resources. The ambassador`s trip was intended to raise the profile and to promote the investment opportunities for U.S. companies
To promote education co-operation and exchange between the U.S. and Indonesia, the Ambassador visited one university and two high schools in Palembang.
At Sriwijaya University faculty and members of the American Alumni Association met separately for a discussion and question and answer session with the Ambassador. Later, the ambassador addressed approximately 250 university students and then answered several questions, mostly regarding scholarships to U.S. universities. The ambassador also had time to visit two high schools.
The first is a publicly and privately funded school for Sumatra`s most disadvantaged and gifted children. The second school the ambassador visited is a publicly funded religious madrasa. At both schools the ambassador was deeply impressed by the quality of the education and the students with whom he met.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
