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.