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)