Yudhoyono noted that both Indonesia and Poland were important trading countries in the ASEAN region and the European Union, respectively.
Warsaw (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has stated that trade between Indonesia and Poland can easily exceed US$500 million because the two economies have strong potential for growth.

"US$500 million is only a small figure. We have agreed to create more opportunities through increased interaction. The governments of Poland and Indonesia will facilitate cooperation between the two countries` private sectors," he said at a joint press conference with Poland`s President, Bronislaw Komorowski, at the Polish Presidential Palace, after attending a bilateral meeting here on Wednesday.

Yudhoyono noted that both Indonesia and Poland were important trading countries in the ASEAN region and the European Union, respectively.

"In the future, we hope to increase cooperation at the ASEAN and European Union levels, because both nations have an important position in their respective regions," he said.

In order to increase their bilateral trade value, Yudhoyono continued, Indonesia and Poland have agreed to cooperate in various sectors, such as investment, trade, food, agriculture, fishery, defense, education, and tourism.

He added that the Polish government was also keen to step up cooperation with Indonesia`s provincial governments in sectors that could benefit both sides.

Meanwhile, President Komorowski highlighted the strategic importance of Yudhoyono`s visit to his country, saying that the visit reflected a deep commitment to boosting cooperation between not only Indonesia and Poland but also Asia and Europe.

"The visit of the Indonesian president today is a reflection of the strong economic relations between the two countries. It has encouraged us to play a more active role," he said.

President Komorowski noted that both Indonesia and Poland benefited from the democratization process.

"We will not limit our cooperation to traditional sectors, such as agriculture and defense; we will also work towards high-level cooperation in the field of science and technology," he continued.

Repeating the words of Yudhoyono, Komorowski said the Polish government would like to increase cooperation with Indonesia`s provincial governments.

President Yudhoyono met with his Polish counterpart to discuss the bilateral relations between their countries.

After the welcoming ceremony at the Polish Presidential Palace at 10 a.m. local time (3 p.m. West Indonesian time), both presidents are scheduled to attend meetings where several cooperation agreements between Indonesia and Poland will be signed.

Later, in the afternoon, President Yudhoyono will also meet with Chairman of Poland Republic`s Senate Bogdan Michal Borusewicz and the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, at the Poland Parliamentary Building.

At 4 p.m., President Yudhoyono is scheduled to meet with the Friends of Indonesia Community at the hotel where he and his delegation are staying.

In the evening, the Indonesian president and his wife, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, will attend a presidential dinner hosted by President Komorowski in Warsaw.

During this presidential visit, President Yudhoyono`s delegation will also organize an Indonesia-Poland Business Forum Meeting for businessmen from both countries.

The Forum will be launched by Deputy Head of Investment Coordination Board (BKPM) Himawan Hariyoga, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Trade and Commerce Suryo Bambang Sulisto, and Poland Investment Coordination Board Slawomir Majman.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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