Indonesia eyes Polish technological expertise
Indonesia eyes Polish technological expertise
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is hoping to benefit from Polish
industrial technological expertise, particularly in shipbuilding,
through the current state visit of Polish Prime Minister
Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz.
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said that during a brief
exchange of words between Cimoszewicz and President Soeharto
yesterday, the two leaders discussed possible cooperation between
the two countries in a variety of areas.
He cited Poland's mastery of industrial technology, especially
in shipbuilding, as one area where Indonesia is keen to forge
closer links.
Cimoszewicz arrived at Halim Perdanakusuma airport in Jakarta
yesterday, accompanied by his wife Barbara. His 61-strong
delegation includes Polish business executives to underscore the
nature of his visit.
The prime minister and his entourage had spent the night in
Denpasar, Bali, before proceeding to the capital.
Moerdiono said he expected that formal talks between
Cimoszewicz and Soeharto scheduled for this morning would focus
on economic and trade relations.
The Polish prime minister first held a meeting with Aburizal
Bakrie, the chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry. He also laid wreath at the Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery
and visited Taman Mini. Last night he attended a banquet hosted
by President Soeharto at the State Palace.
Today, he will meet with President Soeharto, and later with
House Speaker Wahono, Coordinating Minister for Production and
Distribution Hartarto, State Minister of Research and Technology
B.J. Habibie and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas.
Indonesia is the first foreign country visited by Cimoszewicz
since he was appointed prime minister by President Aleksander
Kwasniewski on Feb. 1. A lawyer by training, he has served as
justice minister in Polish cabinet and hails from the Democratic
Left Alliance, the majority in the coalition government formed
with the Polish Peasant Party.
Moerdiono said during the brief exchange of words after the
state reception at Merdeka Palace that the Polish prime minister
extended an invitation from President Kwasniewski to Soeharto to
visit Poland.
Cimoszewicz leaves Indonesia for Bangkok tomorrow. (emb)