RI, Spain to boost trade ties

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Spain have agreed to send more trade missions in the future in a bid to further promote trade relations between the two countries.

The exchange of trade missions was part of cooperation agreements made during the three-day trip of a Spanish trade mission.

"This cooperation is essential to further expand trade ties," said Sony B. Harsono, chairman of the Indonesia-Spain Economic Committee told the 28-member mission at the end of their visit on Friday.

Sony said economic cooperation between Indonesia and Spain have covered many economic fields such as in the construction of oil refineries and aircraft design and production.

"In the near future, we hope we will be able to expand cooperation in infrastructure such as in the transportation and telecommunication sectors as well as in the fishing industry," Sony said.

Sony said he was sure that this year, Indonesia's exports to Spain would increase by 15 percent to US$897 million from about $780 million last year. (03)