WB country director in Indonesia to be replaced

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - World Bank country director in Indonesia, Adrew Steer, will soon be replaced because he will be given a new post in London, England.

"I will leave Indonesia for London on February 28 to work for the British government. I will remain in the World Bank but I have to be responsible to the British government," Steer said on the sidelines of a conference on public spending here on Monday.

Steer said having been World Bank country director in Indonesia since 2002, he had seen the country make a lot of economic progress from time to time.

"I have to leave Indonesia for London but I don`t know who will replace me," Steer said.

He said Indonesia would continue to face new challenges in the years to come but they would lead the country to greater success.

"The government at present is in a financially strong position and this is very good for Indonesia. Therefore, with the new challenges, I am certain the country will make a lot of progress in the future," he said.

Asked about the dissolution of the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Steer said he fully supported the government`s decision because it was a sign of success.

"I am glad CGI is dissolved because in my opinion, the dissolution is a sign of success. CGI is actually good for Indonesia but in view of the country`s progress, the CGI is no longer needed," Andrew noted.

However, he added that it was important for Indonesia to remain having both multilateral and bilateral dialogs with the international community.

"But it is not necessary to sit at one table and make such commitments," Steer said, adding on the other hand that multilateral dialogs as such were not a bad thing as they could save Indonesia time because they enabled Indonesia to meet and talk with about 35 donor countries and institutions at the same time.