Australian trade minister visits Jakarta

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss MP is slated to arrive here on Monday for a three-day visit to attend a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer said on Friday that his government was looking forward to working closely with Indonesia to identify areas to increase two-way trade and investment during high-level business and official consultations in Jakarta in the next few days.

"Australian Minister for Trade, Warren Truss MP, will visit Jakarta from June 24 to 26, to take part in the 7th Trade Ministers` Meeting on Monday with his Indonesian counterpart Mari Pangestu," the ambassador said in press statement here on Sunday.

Farmer said that the minister will also lead a delegation of senior Australian businesspeople to Jakarta to review their current investments in Indonesia and look into more commercial opportunities.

The Ambassador said the annual Trade Ministers` Meeting had been established in 2000 to cement closer commercial cooperation between the two countries.

"Discussions will focus on reviewing the implementation of the bilateral Trade and Investment Framework (TIF), initiated by former Minister for Trade Mark Vaile, and Dr Pangestu in 2005," Farmer said.

While in Jakarta, Minister Truss and accompanying business delegation will meet Coordinating Minister for the Economy Boediono, Minister for Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister for State Enterprises Sofyan Djalil, and Minister of Agriculture Anton Apriyantono.

The senior business delegation will also take part in a Policy Dialogue and Experts Group, held in conjunction with the trade talks on 25 June.

The Policy Dialogue brings business and policy leaders together to identify ways to increase commercial activities in priority sectors. The Experts Group, which convened in May 2007, will advise Truss and Pangestu on practical ways to strengthen the bilateral trade and investment relationship.

Trade between Australia and Indonesia has grown steadily in recent years, with current annual two-way trade worth about A$10.4 billion.

Indonesia currently enjoys a merchandise trade surplus with Australia of A$135 million, with major exports to Australia including crude oil, non-monetary gold, paper and wood. Indonesia`s major imports from Australia include wheat, sugar, crude oil, education services, aluminium, cotton and animals.