The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has hailed the US$8.6 billion in deals sealed during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's visit to South Korea as a breakthrough in Indonesia's economic relations with the north Asian country. However, without the full support of the government, they could eventually come to nothing, Kadin chairman M.S. Hidayat has warned.

Denpasar (ANTARA News) - Australia and Indonesia have agreed to launch a feasibility study on a free trade pact, their leaders said Friday after meeting on the Indonesian resort island of Bali. Australian Prime Minister John Howard held talks with Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for less than an hour during his seven-hour visit, during which he opened an eye clinic and a new consulate. Howard told a press briefing they had discussed the countries' economic relations.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Bank Indonesia (BI) Senior Deputy Governor Miranda S Goeltom said Friday the rupiah`s current weakening was not caused by decreased confidence in the Indonesian economy. "Almost all other currencies are weakening," she said in a discussion here. BI as the central bank would always keep the rupiah`s volatility in check to prevent it from undergoing an upheaval that might endanger the economy, she said.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Emaar, a United Arab Emirates (UAE) company, is ready to invest US$600 million to open a tourist resort on 1,175 ha of land in Lombok island in West Nusatenggara province, an Indonesian tourism official said here Thursday.