Jakarta, March 13 -- Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa expressed optimism that the trade probe by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will not affect Indonesia's trade prospects.

He said such investigations are common in international trade relations and therefore do not warrant concern.

"I think it's fine (a trade investigation). Investigations are commonplace," he spoke to reporters when met in his office on Friday.

According to him, Indonesia still holds a comparative advantage in trade with the United States, mainly because Indonesian goods are priced more competitively than American products.

This situation is also supported by lower labor costs, which gives Indonesia a unique competitive edge, he added. ...