RI, Turkey to increase economic ties

RI, Turkey to increase economic ties

Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Trade and religion were two things Indonesia and Turkey had in
common and efforts would be made to boost ties on both fronts,
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says.

Susilo, speaking after meeting Turkish Prime Minister Recep
Tayyip Erdogan in bilateral talks on Monday said the two
governments would seek to push bilateral trade to US$2 billion in
three years.

Indonesia and Turkey also agreed to an exchange of Muslim
scholars in a bid to develop a better knowledge of Islam.

"We agree to improve our partnership and cooperation in the
future. We are happy that there are no political problems
whatsoever between Turkey and us. However, we think that the
value and volume of trading between the two country remains low,"
Susilo said at the Merdeka Palace.

Erdogan said there was a large window of opportunity to boost
bilateral trade, which currently stands at around $300 million
annually.

Susilo said both countries had agreed to re-activate a joint-
commission for economic and technical cooperation, increase the
number of bilateral dialogs and set up an Indonesia-Turkey
business forum comprising the private sector.

During his three-day visit to Indonesia, Erdogan brought with
him a 150-strong trade delegation led by four Cabinet members and
notable businesspeople.

Erdogan visited tsunami-stricken Banda Aceh on Sunday, joining
other world leaders in expressing his sympathy to victims of the
disaster.

Turkey has pledged $1.25 million to the relief effort in Aceh
and promised to help Indonesian government rebuild the
province.

Erdogan said Turkey was committed to constructing some 1,000
houses as well as orphanages, schools, hospitals and
infrastructure in line with the master plan for Aceh's
reconstruction.