Queensland wants RI priority aid recipient<\/p>\n
BRISBANE, Australia (AP): Australia should target its aid
\nprogram on Indonesia and the Philippines among countries in the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations, the Queensland government
\nsaid Friday.<\/p>\n
\"Highest priority should be placed on Indonesia,\" said a
\nsubmission presented to an inquiry into the development of ASEAN
\nas a regional association and Australia's relationship with it.<\/p>\n
According to the submission, substantial commercial
\nopportunities would result from Indonesia's continued economic
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
It said considerable poverty still existed in much of
\nIndonesia and there was also a strategic necessity to ensure the
\nrelationship between Australia and Indonesia developed smoothly.<\/p>\n
The submission to the joint standing committee on Foreign
\nAffairs, Defense and Trade, said there were advantages for
\nAustralia if it gave the Philippines greater attention within the
\naid program.<\/p>\n
\"The Philippines is of strategic importance and has the
\npotential to be a strong ally of Australia,\" it said.<\/p>\n
The government said it will open a trade and investment office
\nin Jakarta next month, which will house representatives from
\nseveral Queensland Government agencies.<\/p>\n
A representative office will also be established in Semarang,
\ncentral Java.<\/p>\n
In 1995-96, exports to ASEAN represented more than 10 percent
\nof Queensland's total exports and between 1991-1992 and last
\nfinancial year, the value of Queensland's exports to ASEAN
\nincreased by 114 percent, the submission said.<\/p>\n
It said Queensland recognized the economies of ASEAN were more
\nimportant to Australia than the economy of Australia was to
\nASEAN.<\/p>\n
\"While exports to ASEAN represented 15.5 percent of total
\nAustralian exports in 1995-96, in 1994 ASEAN's exports to
\nAustralia\/New Zealand represents only 1.15 percent of total ASEAN
\nexports,\" the submission said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/queensland-wants-ri-priority-aid-recipient-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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