Hartarto to address Australian business forum

JAKARTA (JP): Around 200 Australian businessmen will arrive in Jakarta next month to hold a high level business forum themed "Expanding Horizons", says an Australian official.

John Campbell, the first assistant secretary of the public affairs division of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Thursday that Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto and Australian Minister of Trade Bob McMullan have confirmed that they will be addressing the delegates of the forum, to be held at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center on June 29-30.

Campbell said the forum's discussion will focus on seven key areas where Australia can offer Indonesia a competitive edge: Mining, energy, transport infrastructure, building construction, telecommunications and information technology.

Commenting on the importance of Australian participation in Indonesia's development, he said "We must be proactive in building our trade relationship with Indonesia. We are Indonesia's closest western neighbor and have a wealth of internationally competitive products and services," he said.

Campbell added that the forum and trade mission will enable partners from both countries to meet, discuss their needs and ultimately develop a tighter partnership.

Over 200 Australian business people have expressed interest in the forum and trade mission, making it the biggest trade mission ever to leave Australia. The mission is part of Australia Today Indonesia '94, a bilateral cooperation campaign sponsored by the Australian government.

He said that other speakers will include State Minister of Investment/Chairman of the Investment Coordinating Board Sanyoto Sastrowardoyo, the deputy secretary of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Geoff Forrester, and a leading Australian businessman in Indonesia, Graeme Robertson of the Swabara Group.(03)