Aussie-RI to hold annual trade talks

Aussie-RI to hold annual trade talks

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