TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O'Blake said that American trading companies are still interested in expanding trade cooperation with Indonesia, as the country's economic growth is improving.

"Maintaining and expanding trade with Indonesia is a priority for us," Blake said when opening a business meeting on "Doing Business With The U.S.A" on Thursday, as quoted by Antara News.

Blake said most of the US companies that want to maintain trade cooperation with or expanding investment in Indonesia are those operating in retail business, technology and renewable energy development.

"The cooperation would be mutually beneficial especially as the US companies in Indonesia are known to be good tax payers," he said.

He cited General Electric (GE), which operates in high technology sector, among the US companies consistently investing in Indonesia.

PT GE Lighting Indonesia, which is located in Yogyakarta, provides 600 jobs for the people of Yogyakarta, he said.

"Altogether American companies provide more than two million jobs for Indonesians," he added.

He said the government should improve infrastructure to attract more US companies to invest in Indonesia.

He said at the same time Indonesian exporters should be able to boost exports to the United States to create mutually beneficial cooperation.

"Indonesia should be able to sell goods needed in the United States," he added.

ANTARA NEWS