Italian PM optimistic on bilateral economic ties<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi was
\noptimistic yesterday about the prospect of ties between Indonesia
\nand Italy, saying that his talks here indicated a promising
\nfuture in economic cooperation.<\/p>\n
Prodi told journalists prior to his departure yesterday that
\nhe was satisfied with his discussions with President Soeharto and
\nState Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, and that
\ntalks had revealed the potential for further cooperation in the
\neconomic sector.<\/p>\n
The Italian prime minister arrived here Monday as part of an
\nAsian tour to strengthen Italy's economic and trade ties in the
\nregion. He left for Manila yesterday before continuing on the
\nnext leg of his trip to Tokyo.<\/p>\n
He said in his meeting with Habibie, the two had examined the
\ntwo country's potential, noting that industrial and
\ntransportation sectors were likely to be developed.<\/p>\n
"We expect that every cooperation between the two countries be
\nmutually beneficial," Prodi was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
He added that small and medium-scale industries in Indonesia
\nneed the appropriate technology to maximize the utilization of
\nnatural resources. Italy could provide such technology, he said.<\/p>\n
Trade balance between the two countries heavily favored Italy
\nlast year. Indonesia imported US$1.21 billion from Italy while it
\nexported only $743.6 million.<\/p>\n
Indonesia imports industrial machinery, cooling and heating
\nsystems, along with nonelectrical hand tools.<\/p>\n
Italy is not known to Indonesian businesspeople as a primary
\nexport destination.<\/p>\n
Prodi noted that overall there was great enthusiasm from many
\nEuropean states to enhance economic relations with Indonesia and
\nmembers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).<\/p>\n
"The purpose of my visit to Indonesia is to reach firmer
\ncooperation with ASEAN countries," he said. (10)<\/p>",
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