RI, Turkey to increase economic ties<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Trade and religion were two things Indonesia and Turkey had in
\ncommon and efforts would be made to boost ties on both fronts,
\nPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says.<\/p>\n
Susilo, speaking after meeting Turkish Prime Minister Recep
\nTayyip Erdogan in bilateral talks on Monday said the two
\ngovernments would seek to push bilateral trade to US$2 billion in
\nthree years.<\/p>\n
Indonesia and Turkey also agreed to an exchange of Muslim
\nscholars in a bid to develop a better knowledge of Islam.<\/p>\n
\"We agree to improve our partnership and cooperation in the
\nfuture. We are happy that there are no political problems
\nwhatsoever between Turkey and us. However, we think that the
\nvalue and volume of trading between the two country remains low,\"
\nSusilo said at the Merdeka Palace.<\/p>\n
Erdogan said there was a large window of opportunity to boost
\nbilateral trade, which currently stands at around $300 million
\nannually.<\/p>\n
Susilo said both countries had agreed to re-activate a joint-
\ncommission for economic and technical cooperation, increase the
\nnumber of bilateral dialogs and set up an Indonesia-Turkey
\nbusiness forum comprising the private sector.<\/p>\n
During his three-day visit to Indonesia, Erdogan brought with
\nhim a 150-strong trade delegation led by four Cabinet members and
\nnotable businesspeople.<\/p>\n
Erdogan visited tsunami-stricken Banda Aceh on Sunday, joining
\nother world leaders in expressing his sympathy to victims of the
\ndisaster.<\/p>\n
Turkey has pledged $1.25 million to the relief effort in Aceh
\nand promised to help Indonesian government rebuild the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
Erdogan said Turkey was committed to constructing some 1,000
\nhouses as well as orphanages, schools, hospitals and
\ninfrastructure in line with the master plan for Aceh's
\nreconstruction.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-turkey-to-increase-economic-ties-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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