Chretien visit means business in Indonesia
Chretien visit means business in Indonesia
JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien will be arriving for a three day visit here on Tuesday with a 300-strong delegation including two ministers and six provincial premiers, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono announced yesterday.
Comprising mostly of leading Canadian business executives, the delegation will focus on boosting Canadian-Indonesia trade and commercial ties.
"There will be about 50 trade agreements with Indonesian companies," Moerdiono said of the visit.
Chretien's trip here is part of a four-nation tour of Asia to drum up trade for Canada.
The 61-year-old Prime Minister is currently at the end of a six-day visit to India. He then goes to Pakistan before flying on to Indonesia and finally Malaysia.
It will be Chretien's second visit here as Prime Minister. His first was during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in Bogor, West Java, in November 1994.
The two cabinet members accompanying him are Minister for International Trade Roy MacLaren and Secretary of State for Asia- Pacific Affairs Raymond Chan.
On his four-nation tour, Chretien hopes to emulate the successful 1994 trip to China in which contracts totaling US$6.7 billion were signed.
Apart from conducting a tete-a-tete meeting with Soeharto, wider talks between the premiers and their senior officials are also planned.
Memoranda of understanding on air travel, aerial mapping and an agreement on the protection of investment are expected to be signed.
"While in Indonesia Prime Minister Chretien will also officially open the Canadian Education Center, designed to promote and develop human resources," Moerdiono said.
"Canada has provided much assistance, both technically and financially, which has been prioritized for welfare projects that directly affect the people," he added.
Canada is Indonesia's 15th largest foreign investor with over US$1.16 billion committed in 24 projects.
Two-way trade stands at about $819 million with Indonesia incurring a $175 million deficit.
To help boost commercial ties, a one day Canada-Indonesia Business Forum will be held at the Jakarta Convention Center on Wednesday. This will bring together some 600 business executives from both countries. (mds)