Members,

Welcome to Swedish Business Associations Annual meeting.

Date: March 11, 2004
Time: 18.00
Place: Mercantile Club, BCA building, Jl. Sudirman

1. SBA News
I must say that there has been some development the last month. The EuroCham is rapidly approaching and even if it's a "shaky" project I believe it will be good in the end. The EU commission has received a suggestion from EIA and we are now waiting for their opinion. The European Business Group have already shown their support. It is clear that SBA will be a member and that if you as a company want to be a member, you also have to be a member in SBA. I will keep you all posted on this. More to tell is that you need to put in March 11 in your calendars. At 18.00 at Mercantil Club (BCA) we will have the annual meeting. There will be separate invitations on this. There will be good food as usual and it's a must event for all members. Invitations will be sent accordingly, but if you already know you will be there, please send me a mail so I get the beers chilled for you.

1. SBA News
I hope that the new year started well for everyone. As always early in a new year there is a lot of positive thoughts, so also in SBA. Our last board meeting went off at the Swedish Embassy and we decided to keep the annual meeting in the beginning of March. More on venue and exact time later. It was also decided that SBA will support the restructure of EIA to become an European Chamber of Commerce. The final meeting will be on January 29, when EIA formellt will try to become a Chamber of Commerce. Biggest difference will be the fact that EU Commission will support this with funds and there will be full time employeed people working with business issues. SBA will be a member and all SBA members will automatically be members. Also to mention is that we are now trying to get a small EU project going, to extend our website to be something that connects Sweden and Indonesian companies. More about this when the project closes in to reality, it's still a long way to go.

1. SBA News
The last month of the year is now here. Since this letter is a bit late, the yearly Lucia celebration on December 13 has already greeted us all. Our new Ambassador has received the Swedish colony with open arms. EIA is moving a step closer to becoming the European Chamber of Commerce. The European Commission has expressed their support and the last meeting even indicated financial support. There has been workshops in Makassar and Balikpapan organized by EIA called "EU-Indonesian Trade & Investment Co-operation in the provinces in the light of decentralisation". Very interesting work shops and gives an introduction to the grants and lending facilities available for improving the EU-Indonesian relationships. Last business lunch for the year was on December 17, unfortunately I was on the EIA workshop at that time.

1. SBA News
Our special board meeting and also the golf game prior to the meeting was an real success. We know wish Harald all the luck on his continued adventures in South Korea. We really hope he have some better luck than here when it comes to crises, fast change of regimes and no separatistic movement staying in Sweden. He really deserves some calm after these hectic years here in Indonesia. Also to note is that EIA will have several workshops in December. The events will be in Balikpapan on December 9 and in Makassar December 11. If you are interested, let me know and I provide with additional information.