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