Investor Briefing on Southeast Asia's New Expanded Special Economic Zone (off Coast of Singapore) to be Held in NYC - Feb. 27, 2008

New York, New York - February 1, 2008 - The American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (AICC) in cooperation with the Province of Riau Islands and the Consulate General of Indonesia in New York invite internationally-focused investors, executives, financial and service professionals, journalists and other interested individuals to attend an Investor Forum highlighting trade and investment opportunities within Southeast Asia's New Expanded Special Economic Zone (SEZ), located 12 miles off coast of Singapore in Indonesia. This meeting will be held without charge on February 27, 2008 from 10:30 AM-2:00 PM and hosted at the Consulate General of Indonesia, located at 5 East 68th Street (between 5th and Madison Avenues) in New York City. Supporting organizations include the Consulate General of Indonesia in New York, Asia Society and New York Society of Securities Analysts and supporting publications include Asia Times, EE Times and the KWR International Advisor.

To register to attend the Riau Island/Batam New Expanded Special Economic Zone Investor Briefing in N.Y.C. on February 27, 2008 or to obtain more information, please CLICK HERE to forward a registration or information request or contact the individual indicated below.

Registration will commence at 10:30 AM and the program will begin promptly at 11:00 AM. It will open with a presentation by Donald Hanna, Global Head, Emerging Markets, Economic & Market Analysis, Citigroup Corporate and Investment Banking, who will speak about the state of the Indonesian economy, market trends and potential within the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region and other important developments. This will be followed by comments from a U.S. investor active in Indonesia, an Indonesian- style buffet lunch and a keynote presentation by Drs. Ismeth Abdullah, Governor of the Kepri Riau (Riau Islands) Province and Former Chairman of the Batam Industrial Development Authority where the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is located. After a question and answer session, the event will conclude at 2:00 PM, followed by one-on-one scheduled meetings with Governor Ismeth Abdullah, Mr. Johannes Kennedy, Chairman of the Riau Islands Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other members of the Riau Island / Batam delegation.

Strategically located on the Indian and Pacific Oceans off the coast of Singapore the Riau Island/Batam New Expanded SEZ is composed of the three islands of Batam, Bintan and Karimun. It is perhaps the most attractive manufacturing, industrial and logistical platforms in ASEAN and the second most popular international tourist destination in Indonesia. Collectively these three islands exported goods worth a total of $4.24 billion during 2006, and during the first four months of 2007 exports rose dramatically to $2.19 billion from $1.86 billion in the same period in 2006.

Southeast Asia's New Expanded SEZ builds on the prior success of Batam, which has enjoyed limited Free Trade Zone status since 1978. Due to its strategic location, low cost structure, skilled work force, and tax and other investment incentives, over 600 foreign companies have invested billions of dollars and are presently operating in sectors including technology, medical equipment and electronics, telecommunications, agribusiness, textiles, industrial assembly and fabrication, shipbuilding and tourism, oil and energy services. Examples include McDermott International, AT&T, PerkinElmer, Bechtel, Seagate Technology, Babcock & Wilcox, Holiday Inn, Matsushita, Kyocera, Hitachi, Sanyo, Nippon Steel, Hyundai, Sony and Philips.

"We look forward to briefing investors in New York about recent developments and the many trade and investment opportunities now emerging following adoption of new legislation by the Indonesian Parliament last October and a July 2006 agreement between Indonesia and Singapore to jointly transform Batam, Bintan and Karimun into a SEZ investment magnet," notes Drs. Ismeth Abdullah, Governor of the Kepri Riau (Riau Islands) Province and Former Chairman of the Batam Industrial Development Authority. "There is already $9bn in foreign investment within our province. In addition to the basing of new manufacturing, industrial and distribution facilities, present investment priorities include infrastructure, port and road development, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, alternative energy, and healthcare, education and other services."

"US companies are joining their counterparts in Asia and Europe in recognizing the business and investment potential of ASEAN, a rapidly growing region composed of ten nations with a combined population of about 500 million. It has a total area of 4.5 million square kilometers, a gross domestic product of almost US$ 700 billion and a total trade of about US$ 850 billion," commented Wayne Forrest, President of the AICC. "The Riau Island/Batam New Expanded SEZ offers an ideal platform from which to operate both in regional and global terms. It offers cost competitiveness, close proximity to Singapore and excellent transportation links as well as six international standard golf courses, beautiful beaches, and a wealth of ecotourism possibilities."

To attend the Riau Island/Batam New Expanded Special Economic Zone Investor Briefing in N.Y.C. on February 27, 2008 or to obtain more information, please CLICK HERE to forward a registration or information request or contact the individual indicated below.

KWR International, Inc. Keith W. Rabin email: riaubatam@kwrintl.com tel./fax +1-212-532-3005 / 212-685-2413

This material is published and disseminated by KWR International, Inc. on behalf of the Province of Riau Islands, Indonesia.. Additional information is on file with the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.