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Indonesian Pres
seeks strategic partnership with India
Posted AtWebIndia123.com
Indonesian president Dr Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono today sought to establish a comprehensive
strategic partnership between India and Indonesia to
triple the existing bilateral trade from 5 billion dollars
in the next five years.
Addressing the members of ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI, Dr
Yudhoyono said that during his meeting with Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on Monday night, Indonesia stressed the
need of strategic partnership between the two largest
democracies in the South-East Asian region, and establishment
of closer trade ties in areas of trade, industry, technology
and culture.
He called upon the Indian industry to invest in Indonesia
and use it as a gateway towards establishing Indian
industries close trade linkages with ASEAN countries.
He also offered his support to India during next month's
Hong Kong Ministerial meet on various multilateral issues
including there related to subsidies.
The President added that his administration was committed
to eliminating terrorism and corruption to ensure that
the country emerges as a safer place for overseas investments.
Dr Yudhoyono said Indonesia will shortly evolve a new
taxation system which would be hassle-free and provide
ample economic incentives to Indian industry in areas
of IT, biotechnology, infrastructure and Ports.
"A detailed and comprehensive legislation would be introduced
in the Indonesian Parliament next week or in 10 day's
time," he announced.
The President also said his country would be hosting
an Asian Conference in which the role of the Indian
government would be significant. This particular conference
will provide adequate opportunities to India and Indonesia
for establishing good linkages with each other.
Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath
said Indonesia and India have complementarities in many
areas for joint collaborations which includes pharmaceuticals,
IT, engineering goods and would have huge potential
to multiply their two-way trade.
He said in 2005, Indian trade with Indonesia witnessed
a 35 per cent increase and though the balance of trade
was in favour of Indonesia, India would be happy to
increase its imports in areas of palm oil and others.
In his view, the two largest democracies have common
feature and the areas in which closer linkages can be
established could be trade, IT, science, technology,
ecology and biotechnology.
November 23, 2005
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