Italian PM optimistic on bilateral economic ties

Italian PM optimistic on bilateral economic ties

JAKARTA (JP): Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi was
optimistic yesterday about the prospect of ties between Indonesia
and Italy, saying that his talks here indicated a promising
future in economic cooperation.

Prodi told journalists prior to his departure yesterday that
he was satisfied with his discussions with President Soeharto and
State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, and that
talks had revealed the potential for further cooperation in the
economic sector.

The Italian prime minister arrived here Monday as part of an
Asian tour to strengthen Italy's economic and trade ties in the
region. He left for Manila yesterday before continuing on the
next leg of his trip to Tokyo.

He said in his meeting with Habibie, the two had examined the
two country's potential, noting that industrial and
transportation sectors were likely to be developed.

"We expect that every cooperation between the two countries be
mutually beneficial," Prodi was quoted by Antara as saying.

He added that small and medium-scale industries in Indonesia
need the appropriate technology to maximize the utilization of
natural resources. Italy could provide such technology, he said.

Trade balance between the two countries heavily favored Italy
last year. Indonesia imported US$1.21 billion from Italy while it
exported only $743.6 million.

Indonesia imports industrial machinery, cooling and heating
systems, along with nonelectrical hand tools.

Italy is not known to Indonesian businesspeople as a primary
export destination.

Prodi noted that overall there was great enthusiasm from many
European states to enhance economic relations with Indonesia and
members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"The purpose of my visit to Indonesia is to reach firmer
cooperation with ASEAN countries," he said. (10)