S'pore minister begins RI visit

S'pore minister begins RI visit

JAKARTA (AFP): Singapore Trade and Industry Minister George Yeo arrived Sunday for a four-day visit during which he will witness the signing of a major natural gas agreement and hold talks with Indonesia's leadership.

Singapore embassy officials said Yeo was scheduled to attend the signing of the agreement between the Indonesian state oil company Pertamina and Singapore Power Ltd, Monday.

The contract, the second between the two countries, is expected to be worth $7 billion and is set to be the highlight of Yeo's visit.

It would lead to the delivery of natural gas from the South Sumatra gas fields in Indonesia to Singapore over a 20-year period.

Last month, the two sides launched a joint multibillion-dollar project to supply natural gas from Indonesia's West Natuna fields to the city-state via a 656-kilometer (406-mile) undersea gas pipeline.

After Monday's signing, the minister is scheduled to hold talks with President Abdurrahaman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Yeo will hold separate talks with the speakers of the upper and lower houses of parliament, Amien Rais and Akbar Tanjung.

In Singapore, a trade and industry ministry statement said the main purpose of Yeo's visit was to "enhance Singapore's bilateral ties with Indonesia and to explore new business opportunities."

Relations have gradually improved over the past months following visits by top Indonesian officials and Wahid after the Indonesian leader launched a scathing attack on the neighboring city-state last year.

Much of Indonesia's trade is carried out through Singapore, a fellow founding member of the Association of South East Asian Nations.