Chretien visit means business in Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien will be
\narriving for a three day visit here on Tuesday with a 300-strong
\ndelegation including two ministers and six provincial premiers,
\nMinister\/State Secretary Moerdiono announced yesterday.<\/p>\n
Comprising mostly of leading Canadian business executives, the
\ndelegation will focus on boosting Canadian-Indonesia trade and
\ncommercial ties.<\/p>\n
\"There will be about 50 trade agreements with Indonesian
\ncompanies,\" Moerdiono said of the visit.<\/p>\n
Chretien's trip here is part of a four-nation tour of Asia to
\ndrum up trade for Canada.<\/p>\n
The 61-year-old Prime Minister is currently at the end of a
\nsix-day visit to India. He then goes to Pakistan before flying on
\nto Indonesia and finally Malaysia.<\/p>\n
It will be Chretien's second visit here as Prime Minister. His
\nfirst was during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum
\nmeeting in Bogor, West Java, in November 1994.<\/p>\n
The two cabinet members accompanying him are Minister for
\nInternational Trade Roy MacLaren and Secretary of State for Asia-
\nPacific Affairs Raymond Chan.<\/p>\n
On his four-nation tour, Chretien hopes to emulate the
\nsuccessful 1994 trip to China in which contracts totaling US$6.7
\nbillion were signed.<\/p>\n
Apart from conducting a tete-a-tete meeting with Soeharto,
\nwider talks between the premiers and their senior officials are
\nalso planned.<\/p>\n
Memoranda of understanding on air travel, aerial mapping and
\nan agreement on the protection of investment are expected to be
\nsigned.<\/p>\n
\"While in Indonesia Prime Minister Chretien will also
\nofficially open the Canadian Education Center, designed to
\npromote and develop human resources,\" Moerdiono said.<\/p>\n
\"Canada has provided much assistance, both technically and
\nfinancially, which has been prioritized for welfare projects that
\ndirectly affect the people,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Canada is Indonesia's 15th largest foreign investor with over
\nUS$1.16 billion committed in 24 projects.<\/p>\n
Two-way trade stands at about $819 million with Indonesia
\nincurring a $175 million deficit.<\/p>\n
To help boost commercial ties, a one day Canada-Indonesia
\nBusiness Forum will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center on
\nWednesday. This will bring together some 600 business executives
\nfrom both countries. (mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/chretien-visit-means-business-in-indonesia-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}