RI, South Africa sign economic and scientific agreements

RI, South Africa sign economic and scientific agreements

Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an effort to strengthen their relationship, Indonesia and
South Africa have signed several agreements in the field of
economy and science.

The bilateral agreements were inked on Tuesday after President
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met visiting South African President
Thabo Mbeki at the State Palace for high-level talks.

The documents signed by the two countries include a Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) on Agricultural Development Cooperation, a
joint statement on the establishment of the joint trade
committee, and a letter of intent between the Surabaya Zoo in
Indonesia and the National Zoological Garden of South Africa.

"The agreements will help enhance the relationship between
these two countries that have an interconnected history.
Countries in Asia and Africa need to work closely to address
global problems together," Mbeki said standing next to Susilo
after the meeting.

Before it became a British colony, a part of South Africa was
once a Dutch colony.

Mbeki also reiterated the commitment of South Africa to help
Indonesia counter the threat of global terrorism and said his
country was interested to learn from Indonesia about how to
address such problems.

Mbeki arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday on a two-day state visit
ahead of the 50th Asian-African Summit from April 22 to 23.

During the conference, Susilo said he was pleased the two
nations' talks were productive.

"We expect the agreement will drive us to be more active in
the trade and economic sectors, as well as help us intensify
efforts to draw up other agreements," Susilo said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriyantono said the
cooperation in the agricultural sector between the two countries
would help boost the commodity trade, which was currently
insignificant.

Anton said Indonesia would promote the trade of three of its
main agricultural products -- cacao beans and coffee -- while
South Africa would promote cotton, corn and fertilizer.

"Under the joint trade committee, both countries will explore
ways how to boost the trade of these commodities. Aside from
that, we will also initiate an exchange in agricultural science
and technology," Anton said.

Mbeki said the Asian-African Summit was an important way for
nations in the two continents to jointly address global problems.

Some local observers have questioned the need for the
conference, which they say is an expensive talk-fest which offers
little in the way of concrete benefits.

The Indonesian government has spent an estimated Rp 400
billion (about US$44 million) to prepare the infrastructure and
services needed to support the conference. The funds include the
cost of accommodation and luxury cars for foreign leaders.

"When nations in Asia and Africa are gathered together, it is
not merely a ceremony. Asia and Africa share the same problems
with settlements that can be sought together. There are so many
opportunities between us that have yet to be tapped," Mbeki said.

"The conference will offer the possibility for Asia and Africa
to form a strategic partnership, either for addressing global
threats and problems or for cooperation in the United Nations,"
he said.

Meanwhile, Susilo said he hoped the summit would go ahead with
a similar spirit as the one in the 1950s had.

"I disagree with critics that say the conference is merely a
ceremony. In the 1950s, the conference aimed to fight
imperialism, and now the event is needed to fight global
injustice, poverty and underdevelopment," Susilo said.