Media Release

18 July 2008

Visit by the Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Small Business – Building Links with Indonesian Business

Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Bill Farmer, has welcomed this week’s visit by the Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Small Business, the Hon Joe Helper MP, as an important means of increasing agricultural commercial links and cooperation between Indonesia and Australia.

During the 16 to 18 July visit to Indonesia, Mr Helper met with the Indonesian Minister for Agriculture, HE Dr Ir Anton Apriyantono, and key businesses to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the Indonesian and Victorian agri-food sectors.

Mr Helper also sought greater collaboration between the Victorian and Indonesian agricultural industries as a way to assist the economies of both countries.

“Victoria highly values its partnership with Indonesia and we consider the use of Victorian agricultural skills, experience and technology could assist in the development and growth of the Indonesian agricultural sector,” Mr Helper said.

Ambassador Farmer said the partnership between Australia and Indonesia in the agricultural sector is very broad, reflecting the complementarities of the two economies.

“Australia has a long history of reliable trade in agricultural products with Indonesia, including as a supplier of quality halal product, providing important benefits to Indonesian food producers and consumers,” Mr Farmer said.

Australia’s agricultural cooperation with Indonesia also includes a significant program of capacity building, research partnerships and technical assistance aimed at supporting economic growth and food security in Indonesia, as well as improving agricultural and quarantine systems.

Indonesia is Victoria’s 5th largest food export market with Victorian food exports in 2007 valued at some A$263 million, including dairy, meat and horticulture.

Media Enquiries:
Jenny Dee (Counsellor Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2553 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175