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)