HANOVER. Germany. Apr 3: German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, opening one of the world's biggest Industry trade fairs yesterday, urged German industry to step up its investment in Asia's emerging economies, reports Reuter.

Speaking to hundred of German industrialists at the formal opening of the Hanover industry fair. Kohl said that by the end of the century seven Asian countries would be among the top ,10 world economies.

That's why it's necessary that German companies s(iow a stronger presence in the Asian economic region. Kohl said, according to a summary of his speech released In advance." This is also important for Jobs ,jn Germany."

, This year's foreign partner for the Hanover trade fair is Indonesia, and President Suharto is expected to sign several big trade deals with leading German companies during his six-day official visit to Germany.

Suharto’s visit had already been marked by demonstra-

tions' from human rights groups who complain that Indonesia has sacrificed human rights and environmental concerns on the altar of economic growth.

Dismissing the protests. Suharto defended Jakarta's human rights record and invited German companies to play a bigger role in developing his country's industry.

He noted that some of Germany's biggest firms like Siemens Ag. Schering Ag. Daimler-Benz Ag and Bayer Ag were already present and that the Indonesian government* was investing in infrastructure to improve conditions for investment.

'‘Sometimes there are statements from certain parties that in our efforts to build this economy we have sacrificed our appreciation for human rights and the environment." Suharto said according to a speech prepared for delivery.

"Such opinions are wrong. Our political situation is stable."

Suharto's arrival in Hanover

was met with a demonstration by human rights groups led by Amnesty International, which said that political arrest, torture. and "disappearances" were dally occurrence in Indonesia.

Indonesia has faced international criticism for sending troops into East Timor in 1975 and annexing it the following year. The United Nations recognises Portugal, the former colonial power, as East Timor's administrative authority.

The Welt Am Sonntag newspaper reported on Sunday that’ the East German city of Weimar had told Suharto's delegation it did not want an official visit from the Indonesian President.

Last year. Chinese Prime Minister Li Peng prematurely brok^ off a visit to Germany after he was heckled by demonstrators protesting in Weimar against China's human rights record.

No one was immediately available in Weimar to com- . ment on the Welt Am Sonntag report.