Indonesia, Kazakhstan to boost economic ties

Indonesia, Kazakhstan to boost economic ties

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto and his Kazakh counterpart
President Nursultan Nazarbayev yesterday agreed to further
improve economic and trade cooperation between their two
countries.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono told reporters after a
tete-a-tete meeting between the two presidents and a separate
meeting between ministers and senior officials of the two
countries at the Merdeka Palace that bilateral, regional and
international issues had been discussed.

"Indonesia and Kazakhstan will further improve economic
relations by moving to agreements on the avoidance of double
taxation, the improvement and protection of investment as well as
banking cooperation," the minister said.

He said Kazakhstan had also expressed its intention to act as
a bridge for improved economic relations between members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the countries of
Central Asia.

Moerdiono said that during Soeharto's visit to Kazakhstan last
April the two countries had agreed to encourage their private
sectors to actively take part in boosting two-way trade.

In yesterday's meetings, Indonesia's political team was led by
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and its economic team by
Coordinating Minister for Industry and Trade Hartarto.

After the meetings, the two presidents attended a Friday
prayer at the Baiturahim mosque at the palace.

Soeharto hosted a state banquet for his Kazakhstan guest at
the state palace last night.

"Your Excellency President's current visit to Indonesia
provides new momentum to the improvement of economic and trade
relations between our countries," Soeharto said at the dinner,
which was attended by Mrs. Sara Nazarbayeva and Indonesia's first
lady Tien Soeharto.

This evening, President Nazarbayev is scheduled to open the
Kazakhstan Trade House here. (rid)