RI, Australia sign deal

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Australia have agreed to improve cooperation in tourism, post and telecommunications services.

Under an agreement signed here yesterday by Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave and visiting Australian Minister for Communications and the Arts Richard Alston, the two countries will take immediate steps to realize the deal.

"We may exchange students in a tourism study. PT Pos Indonesia will also join forces with the Australian postal company. Indonesia can learn a lot from their postal service," Joop said.

The two countries will also improve telecommunications collaborations. So far, Australia's Telstra has entered Indonesia while Bakrie Group's telecommunications arm has also expanded to Australia. (icn)