JAKARTA, 10 April 2005 – World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz arrived in Jakarta today on the second leg of his six-day visit to Indonesia. Wolfowitz began his visit to Indonesia on April 5, in Aceh, to underline his deep commitment to the reconstruction program, with support for the peace process as the basis for all development. The President also visited World Bank and IFC supported projects in South Sulawesi before leaving for Timor-Leste on April 8.
Arriving at Jakarta’s Halim Perdanakusuma Airport this evening for what he called a “pulang kampung” or “coming home” visit, the former envoy and longtime friend of Indonesia said, “I am very happy to be back, I really love this country.” He impressed local media when he addressed them directly in Bahasa. He was “pleasantly surprised at the considerable progress the country had made since the economic problems of 1998.” Wolfowitz said “I am here to learn more about it.”
President Wolfowitz cautioned, however, that “Indonesia still has many poor people and a lot of work needs to be done.” The issue of poverty reduction will be at the heart of the discussion when Wolfowitz meets with the Indonesian President, the Vice-President and members of his cabinet on Tuesday, April 11.
The President also highlighted the Bank's role in helping Indonesians in their fight with Avian Influenza, noting that US$1.9 billion had been committed in Beijing to help countries like Indonesia fight the virus.
Tomorrow the President will visit Tangerang to meet with poultry farmers and other residents who live in areas that are particularly vulnerable. The World Bank in Indonesia has already provided US$ 200,000 to the National Committee on Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, and $130,000 to study options to restructure the poultry farming and marketing systems to reduce disease risks.
The President will also take part in a televised seminar on Democracy, Governance and Development hosted by Tempo magazine the same day. The following day he will visit the Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission to launch a major new effort to combat corruption in Bank-assisted projects.
Source by:http://web.worldbank.org
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