Australia invites RI to improve relationship

JAKARTA (JP): Australia is inviting Indonesia to enhance their mutual relationship through clear sightedness, sensitivity, courage, hard work, boldness and openness, as the two countries are basically different in many ways.

"The job of developing the relationship would not be easy," visiting Prime Minister Paul J. Keating said at the opening of a two-day bilateral trade and investment forum at Jakarta Hilton Convention Center here yesterday.

The opening of the forum, participated in by almost 1,000 Indonesian and Australian business people, was attended by the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Trade and Industry Hartarto and State Minister of Investment Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo and Australian Minister for Trade Bob McMullan.

Keating said that Indonesia and Australia are very different nations with very different societies and cultures and at different stages of development.

"I want Australia to be much better known in Indonesia for what it is. A sophisticated, technologically advanced society with a diverse, open and tolerant people," he said.

He stressed that no country is more important to Australia than Indonesia.

"It was painful, for example, to learn as part of the research for the Australia Today promotion that most Indonesians still think Australia has a racially-based immigration policy," he said.

According to Keating, Australians should also know Indonesia for what it is and in all its cultural richness and ethnic diversity; with all its challenges, achievements and aspirations.

Keating's three day visit, which was part of the giant trade and cultural promotion for "Australia Today Indonesia '94, ended yesterday.

Model

He also said that the two countries' relationship could be a model for cooperation between developing and developed countries, between countries based on Western structures and values and those based on Asian models.

Keating said that the relationship would not develop by itself but should be initiated, with common ground established along with mutual respect for different histories, cultures and aspirations.

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Aburizal Bakrie said at a luncheon of the forum that the two countries should not only establish economic relationship but should also create better understandings for social and political stability.

"Because economic ties are related to social values, the countries should take each other for granted," he told reporters after the luncheon.

He also said that in economic relationship, Indonesia could absorb technology and capital from Australia.

Minister Hartarto told the forum that the improved economic cooperation between the two countries was encouraging.

He said that Indonesia's exports to Australia increased to US$773.66 million last year from $748.69 million in 1992, while its imports from Australia slightly decreased to $1.39 billion from $1.41 billion.

There are 140 Australian investment projects worth $1.5 billion thus far approved by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) within the last 27 years, making Australia the ninth biggest foreign investor in Indonesia. (icn)