Australia invites RI to improve relationship<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Australia is inviting Indonesia to enhance their
\nmutual relationship through clear sightedness, sensitivity,
\ncourage, hard work, boldness and openness, as the two countries
\nare basically different in many ways.<\/p>\n
\"The job of developing the relationship would not be easy,\"
\nvisiting Prime Minister Paul J. Keating said at the opening of a
\ntwo-day bilateral trade and investment forum at Jakarta Hilton
\nConvention Center here yesterday.<\/p>\n
The opening of the forum, participated in by almost 1,000
\nIndonesian and Australian business people, was attended by the
\nIndonesian Coordinating Minister for Trade and Industry Hartarto
\nand State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo and
\nAustralian Minister for Trade Bob McMullan.<\/p>\n
Keating said that Indonesia and Australia are very different
\nnations with very different societies and cultures and at
\ndifferent stages of development.<\/p>\n
\"I want Australia to be much better known in Indonesia for
\nwhat it is. A sophisticated, technologically advanced society
\nwith a diverse, open and tolerant people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He stressed that no country is more important to Australia
\nthan Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"It was painful, for example, to learn as part of the research
\nfor the Australia Today promotion that most Indonesians still
\nthink Australia has a racially-based immigration policy,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
According to Keating, Australians should also know Indonesia
\nfor what it is and in all its cultural richness and ethnic
\ndiversity; with all its challenges, achievements and aspirations.<\/p>\n
Keating's three day visit, which was part of the giant trade
\nand cultural promotion for \"Australia Today Indonesia '94, ended
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
Model<\/p>\n
He also said that the two countries' relationship could be a
\nmodel for cooperation between developing and developed countries,
\nbetween countries based on Western structures and values and
\nthose based on Asian models.<\/p>\n
Keating said that the relationship would not develop by itself
\nbut should be initiated, with common ground established along
\nwith mutual respect for different histories, cultures and
\naspirations.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
\n(Kadin) Aburizal Bakrie said at a luncheon of the forum that the
\ntwo countries should not only establish economic relationship but
\nshould also create better understandings for social and political
\nstability.<\/p>\n
\"Because economic ties are related to social values, the
\ncountries should take each other for granted,\" he told reporters
\nafter the luncheon.<\/p>\n
He also said that in economic relationship, Indonesia could
\nabsorb technology and capital from Australia.<\/p>\n
Minister Hartarto told the forum that the improved economic
\ncooperation between the two countries was encouraging.<\/p>\n
He said that Indonesia's exports to Australia increased to
\nUS$773.66 million last year from $748.69 million in 1992, while
\nits imports from Australia slightly decreased to $1.39 billion
\nfrom $1.41 billion.<\/p>\n
There are 140 Australian investment projects worth $1.5
\nbillion thus far approved by the Investment Coordinating Board
\n(BKPM) within the last 27 years, making Australia the ninth
\nbiggest foreign investor in Indonesia. (icn)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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