U.S., Indonesian chambers of commerce announce partnership

U.S., Indonesian chambers of commerce announce partnership    The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to work together to strengthen business ties and promote more trade between the two nations.
   The partnership 'acknowledges our mutual interests in creating a framework to increase awareness of business opportunities available in both countries,' said Thomas Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
   Specifically, the memorandum calls for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate, the Center for International Private Enterprise, to provide technical assistance to improve the institutional capacity of the Indonesian chamber.
   The signing of the memorandum, by Donahue and Mohamad Hidayat, president of the Indonesian chamber, coincided with a speech given before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, president of Indonesia, who thanked U.S. businesses for their contribution of almost $600 million to provide relief after the Dec. 26 tsunami.