Indonesian Aid

The US, Australia and Japan have offered trade assistance to troubled Indonesia in a move that should slow the fall in commodity imports this year, government officials and importers said on Thursday. "The US, Australia and Japan have offered assistance to help solve the problems faced by importers, especially those who need raw materials for their export-oriented industries," said Djoko Mulyono, director-general of international trade at the Trade and Industry Ministry. "There are many countries which will help us restore the economy...so that their products will continue to be marketed here," he said after a meeting with members of the country's importers' group (Ginsi).