W. Australia sees business opportunities with Indonesia

W. Australia sees business opportunities with Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): West Australia sees potential business
opportunities in Indonesia's education and health care sector,
West Australian Deputy Premier, Hendy Cowan, said here yesterday.

Cowan told members of the Indonesia-Australia Business Council
(IABC) West Australia seeks further cooperation in education and
health with Indonesia.

"We have much to offer in the health service as well as
universities and vocational training," he said at IABC's luncheon
yesterday.

He said he expected the health industry in Indonesia to expand
dramatically.

West Australia's health service companies could provide
technology to develop Indonesia's health service, he said.

Cowan, who is here on a three-day trade mission, said the
companies could provide health service consultants, health
products and health research.

West Australian companies could assist in the design and
technology of local hospitals, he said.

He said many Indonesians seek medical treatment at hospitals
in his state.

Cowan said West Australia could also provide ample
opportunities to cooperate with Indonesia in education.

Perth, West Australia's capital, is a major study destination
for Indonesians in Australia, he said.

Perth's five universities and favorable climate attracted many
Indonesians to study, he said.

West Australian Chamber of Commerce's president Lyndon Rowe,
who accompanied Cowan during the trade mission, said yesterday he
expected some West Australian companies to establish vocational
training schools in Indonesia in the future.

Rowe said West Australia's exports to Indonesia, mostly
comprising wheat, live cattle and other food products, reached
A$768 million last year.

Indonesian exports to the Australian state reached A$152
million last year, mostly comprising petroleum, wood and wooden
products, he said.

The delegation visits Ujungpandang today to meet with local
business representatives. It will conclude its visit in
Surabaya, East Java, tomorrow, where Cowan will sign an exchange
program agreement in culture and economy between West Australia
and East Java.

The exchange program is part of the memorandum of
understanding signed between East Java and West Australia in
1991. East Java and West Australia agreed to set up fishery and
cattle breeding projects. (das)