Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News/Bernama) -- Bilateral trade ties between Malaysia and Indonesia are still strong despite the recent protests by the People`s Democratic Front in front of the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta.

International Trade and Industry Minister, Mustapa Mohamed, said the two countries shared the same cultural identity and the relationships were good in terms of trade.

"Business people and Malaysian tourists have been accepted there and we are also hosts to about two million Indonesians here," he told reporters after a Quran-reading session at his ministry here Thursday.

Mustapa said this when asked to comment on the statement by Indonesia`s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Thursday.

Susilo has urged the Malaysian government to resolve the border issues between the two countries and advised Indonesians to avoid resorting to extreme acts.

"It is a positive statement and it is my hope we develop closer bilateral economic and trade ties. I also hope the Indonesians appreciate the importance of business relationships with Malaysia," he said.

He said going forward, both counties were committed to the creation of the Asean Economic Community by 2015.

Exports to Indonesia July this year stood at RM1.41 billion (US$454 million) while imports amounted to RM2.65 billion (US$854 million).(*)

Editor: Heru
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