RI, Australia to boost ties

RI, Australia to boost ties

DENPASAR, Bali: Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Rick Smith
said on Wednesday the governments of the two countries were
trying to step up mutually-beneficial cooperation.

The current bilateral cooperation should be enhanced,
especially in the tourism and investment sectors, Smith said when
making a courtesy call on Bali Governor Dewa Beratha here.

Smith expressed hope that the good bilateral cooperation and
relations would increase the number of Australians travelling to
Indonesia, especially Bali.

Australians have made Bali one of their main tourist
destinations due its close proximity and richness in arts and
culture, he said.

The Australian government has always encouraged its people to
visit Bali and invest in the province to enable it to maintain
its stable condition, he said.

The ambassador expected that many airline companies would open
their flights from different cities in Australia to Bali as the
current number of flights was still limited.

He also expressed hope that local immigration officials would
assist Australian tourists who faced problems during their stay
in Bali.

Smith met Dewa Beratha to report the appointment of Bali as
the host of an Australia-Indonesia meeting scheduled for April
2003 to discuss cross-border issues. --Antara