In connection with the discussions on the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which we initialed today, and with special reference to Article 2 of this Agreement dealing amongst others with the promotion of cooperation with regard to the appointment of agents and/or representatives, I would like to request your attention for the following.
As the situation is at present, the designation of agents in Indonesia by foreign, including Netherlands shipping companies, is subject to governmental regulations which limit the choice amongst five Indonesian shipping companies. Furthermore, the implementation of this regulation, which in itself is considered restrictive by the Netherlands shipping companies, provides that a foreign shipping company, having chosen one of the five officially designated agents, is bound to use that same agent in all ports of Indonesia.
The Netherlands shipping companies consider that this situation hampers the efficient development of maritime relations. They urgently request that this situation be modified in such a way so as to allow greater freedom in the choice amongst available agents in the various ports.
I would greatly appreciate if you could exercise your good offices to ensure that this request is favourably considered by the Indonesian Authorities entrusted with the implementation of the pertinent regulations.
Van Oorschot
Mr. Ismael M. Thajeb
Chairman of the Indonesian Delegation
II b
Dear Dr. van Oorschot,
The Hague, June 17, 1968
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your todays letter, reading as follows:
[See letter I b]
I have the honour to confirm that I will exercise my good offices to ensure that your request will be favoi ably considered by the Indonesian Authorities entrusted with the impleme. ation of the pertinent regulations.
Yours sincerely,
Ismael M. Thajeb
Dr. W. P. H. van Oorschot Chairman of the Netherlands Delegation
No. 11386