Kazakhstan President and I are committed to enhancing cooperation in the economic sector..."
Astana, Kazakhstan (ANTARA News) - Visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met with Kazakh Prime Minister Serik Akhmetov and Kazakh Business Committee here on Tuesday.

The meeting between Yudhoyono and Kazakh Prime Minister was aimed at enhancing cooperation and business opportunities in both the countries.

"Kazakhstan has developed its economy and has a big potential in the sector. Therefore, cooperation would benefit both the countries," said President Yudhoyono.

During his meeting with the chairman of the Kazakhstan Economy Committee and some businessmen here, President Yudhoyono expressed hope that businessmen from both the countries will cooperate with each other.

"Kazakhstan President and I are committed to enhancing cooperation in the economic sector as well as private sector in both the countries," said Yudhoyono.

Kazakhstan is the first leg of Yudhoyono`s seven day tour of three countries, which includes Poland and Russia.

Earlier, President Yudhoyono told the press that one of his objectives on his trip to Kazakhstan is to expand the cooperation in economic sector, investments as well as promote collaboration in the energy sector.

Presidential foreign affairs spokesman Teuku Faizasyah, meanwhile, said Yudhoyono`s visit to Astana is at the invitation of President Nursultan Nazarbayev and is a return visit of Nazabayev`s tour of Indonesia.

The two presidents have had several bilateral discussions related to trade, investments, food and energy security, cultural and education cooperation, he said.

The both presidents had witnessed the cooperation signing on economy, counter-terrorism, money laundering and funds of terrorism, culture, education and diplomatic training.

Faizasyah said Kazakhstan is a country in Central Asia which has recorded positive economic growth and produced different kinds of agricultural products, particularly wheat and is rich in natural resources, mainly oil and gas.

From Kazakhstan, Yudhoyono and his entourage will proceed to Poland at the invitation of Polish President Bronisaw Komorowski.

The visit to Poland will be the third by Indonesian presidents to that country since both nations established diplomatic relations in 1955. The first was made by President Soekarno in 1959 and the second by President Megawati in 2003.

During his stay in Poland, Yudhoyono will hold talks with his Polish counterpart, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Senate Chairman Bogdan Borusewicz.

Yudhoyono will discuss bilateral issues with the Polish leaders including cooperation in trade and investment in the mining sector, energy and environment, defense and security issues.

The two countries will sign memorandums of understanding on cooperation in a number of sectors including fishery, agriculture, trade, investment, mining, education and visa free visits for holders of official and diplomat passports between the two countries.

Faizasyah said Poland is Indonesia`s third largest trade partner in Central and Eastern Europe region.

He said Poland is also quite prominent in the development of environmentally friendly technologies.

"Indonesia could establish cooperation in the field of environmentally friendly technologies, which is in line with pro-environmental policies, promoted by Indonesian government," he said.

Yudhoyono`s itinerary will end in Russia, where he will attend the 8th summit meeting of G-20 in St. Petersburg.

(Reported by Panca Hari Prabowo and GNC Aryani/I029/INE/KR-BSR/B003)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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