Seminar: The global financial crisis - Impacts of President Obama’s Trade Policies on Indonesia

Venue : Mutiara I meeting room, Ritz Carlton Jakarta, Mega Kuningan Jakarta

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2009

Agenda :
09.00 – 09.30: Registration
09.30 – 09.40: Opening
09.40 – 10.40: Session 1, Dr. Muh. Chatib Basri (TBC)
10.40 – 11.40: Session 2, Dr. Tom G Palmer (incl. Q & A)
11.40 – 11.55: Break and networking
11.55 – 12.55: Panel discussion Dr. Muh. Chatib Basri & Dr. Tom G Palmer
12.55 – 13.00: Conclude
13.00 – 14.00: Lunch

Abstract:
Following the London G20 Summit in April 2009, a US$1.1 trillion dollars deal has been announced. President Barack Obama hailed the G20 agreements as a "turning point in our pursuit of global economic recovery".

In America, since his inauguration, President Barack Obama has worked at a feverish pace, announcing countless new policies. Reacting to the global economic meltdown, his $787 billion stimulus package is the biggest in American history. But it comes with a protectionist string attached. President Obama’s “Buy America” provision invites retaliation from other countries, risking a global trade war.

America is one of Indonesia’s biggest trading partners, and America’s trade policies will have impact on Indonesia’s economy and employment.

Will the G20 agreements improve situations? How will President Obama’s trade policies affect developing countries, especially Indonesia? How can Indonesian companies and Indonesian policy-makers prepare for the challenges? What can be done to stem the rising tide of protectionism?

Session 1 of this seminar will explore Indonesia’s current economic situation, how global trade influences the Indonesian economy, US’ influence in the economy of Indonesia and how US trade policies affect our growth and development.

Session 2 of this seminar will explore issues around the global economic crisis, critically examine President Obama’s trade policies, and explore why a country like Indonesia should avoid trade protectionism.

Participants
CEO & senior executives BUMN, PMA and PMDN
Gubernur, Bupati and Walikota
Leaders of organisations
Leaders of KADIN/KADINDA, HIPMI and trade associations

Speakers’ biographies
Dr. Muhammad Chatib Basri (TBC), is Executive Director for Institute for Economic and Social Research in Faculty of Economics at the University of Indonesia (LPEM-FEUI) and lecturer at Faculty of Economics, University of Indonesia. He is also an adviser to the Ministry of Finance, the Republic of Indonesia. Dr. Basri finished his study at the Faculty of Economics University of Indonesia in 1992. He obtained his Master in Economic Development in 1996 and his Ph.D. in Economics in 2001, both from Australian National University. Dr. Basri’s main expertise is in International Trade, Macroeconomics and Political Economy. Presently he is Research Associate with the Indonesia Project, Economics Division, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra.

Dr. Tom G. Palmer is Vice President for International Programs at Atlas Economic Research Foundation and General Director of the Atlas Global Initiative for Free Trade, Peace, and Prosperity. A charismatic speaker, respected thinker and scholar, Dr Palmer is the author of the forthcoming book Realizing Freedom: The Theory, History, and Practice of Liberty. He frequently lectures in Europe, North America, Eurasia, Africa, Latin America, China, and the Middle East — from England to Iraq to China to Kyrgyzstan to Ghana and many other countries. His writings have been published in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and The Spectator of London. Previously he was Vice President for International Programs at the Cato Institute and Director of the Center for Promotion of Human Rights. Dr Palmer received his B.A. in liberal arts from St. Johns College in Annapolis, Maryland, his M.A. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and his Ph.D. in politics from Oxford University.

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