Aussie-RI to hold annual trade talks

Mon, 10 Nov 2003 | Source: AP

CANBERRA: Australian and Indonesian officials and business representatives will meet this week for the fourth annual trade ministers' conference, the government said on Sunday.

Trade Minister Mark Vaile said in a statement he will meet with Indonesia's Trade and Industry Minister Rini Soewandi on Monday in the southern city of Melbourne "to strengthen commercial links."

Vaile said Australian automotive, meat and medicine exports to Indonesia had risen in recent years and the one-day conference could help sales to grow further.

"The Indonesian economy is expected to grow strongly next year and new export opportunities are constantly emerging," he said.

Soewandi will be accompanied by a business delegation including representatives of the automotive, food and clothing sectors, Vaile said.

Indonesia is Australia's 10th-largest trading partner, Vaile said, with two-way trade in the year to June 30, 2003 worth A$7.51 billion (US$5.25 billion). -- AP

View JSON | Print