New Australian Trade Minister Visits Jakarta and Bali

The first Minister in the new Rudd Government to visit Indonesia, Trade Minister Simon Crean, arrives in Jakarta today for meetings with Indonesian Trade Minister Dr Mari Pangestu and other Indonesian Ministers.

During the visit, he will pursue a range of trade issues, including a possible free trade agreement between the two countries and a possible ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement.

Mr. Crean will also meet with local members of the Australian business community before leaving for the 8-9 December Trade Minister’s Dialogue on Climate Change issues in Bali.

The primary focus of the Bali meeting of Trade Ministers will be climate change and related economic and trade issues. In particular, the use of trade policy tools in addressing climate change and sustainable development will be discussed.

Mr. Crean said, “It is important that responding to climate change is not just seen as an environmental imperative, but also as an economic opportunity.”
While in Bali, Mr Crean will also meet with a number of his trade counterparts to discuss trade issues of importance to Australia, including progress of the WTO Doha Round.

Trade between Australia and Indonesia has grown steadily in recent years, with current annual two-way trade worth about IDR 83.9 trillion, making Indonesia as Australia’s 13th largest trading partner. Indonesia currently enjoys a merchandise trade surplus with Australia of IDR1.9 billion, with major exports to Australia including crude petroleum, non-monetary gold, paper and wood. Indonesia’s major imports from Australia include wheat, sugar, crude petroleum, education services, aluminium, cotton and live animals.

Total Australian investment in Indonesia at the end of 2006 totaled IDR 25 trillion. More than 400 Australian companies are currently operating in Indonesia across a range of sectors, including mining, construction, finance, banking, food and beverage, and transport.

Ministers Crain and Dr Pangestu will both address a joint press conference at 12pm on Thursday 6 December at the Department of Trade (Anggrek Room, 2nd flr). For further details, call Amanda Mitchener on (021) 2550 5289 or 0812 180 3326.

Further information:
John Williams, Counsellor (Public Affairs), mob 0812 105 3989