Japan, RI agree on trade

Japan, RI agree on trade

TOKYO (AFP): Japan and Indonesia agreed yesterday to cooperate in working out a draft for trade and investment liberalization during this year's meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, government officials said.

The agreement was reached between Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono and Hartarto Sastrosunarto, Indonesia's coordinating minister for trade and industry, they said.

Hartarto reportedly told Kono that Indonesia hopes APEC members would draw up a blueprint for liberalization of regional trade and investment during this November's APEC summit in Osaka, western Japan.

Kono agreed with the Indonesian minister, saying that it was important to introduce concrete policies for planned liberalization, officials said.