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SBY calls on Australian companies to invest

Visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called onAustralian entrepreneurs to invest in his country.

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Source: AFP


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Visiting Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on Australian entrepreneurs to invest in the Asian country, saying there is a huge potential to boost business links.

He also reassured business leaders that his country was in good economic health with a stable democracy.

The leader of the world's third most populous democracy said Indonesia was earning the trust of investors.

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"Our economy is not only in good health, it is also in a good position to help restore the health of the global financial system," Dr Yudhoyono told guests at a business forum in Sydney on Thursday.

He said Australia and Indonesia already worked very well together.

"I see no reason why in the years ahead that partnership will not grow even stronger," Dr Yudhoyono said.

"I join you here this morning with a good sense of confidence.

"I hope the entrepreneurs of both countries find ways of complementing each other and strike up partnerships that benefit us all."

The president said there were a range of sectors in which Australian and Indonesian companies could co-operate.

"One is agriculture and food security," he said.

"Australia has experience and skill to do this business and we welcome the co-operation and partnership in this, in food processing and other agricultural type business.

"In energy security, we invite you to be part of the development of our energy, not just oil, gas and coal but in renewable energy as well.

"Infrastructure building is also good for our partnership.

"We are also developing surface industries as in health, education, banking and others.

"We in Indonesia are open-minded about possible new ways of enlarging and and intensifying our bilateral trade."

Dr Yudhoyono expressed disappointment that Canberra maintained a strong security warning for Australian travellers to Indonesia.

"In regard to our tourism relations, we only know that Indonesia is now one of the top 10 tourist destinations for Australia in spite of your government's advice against travelling to Indonesia," he said.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Wednesday said the warning would remain, insisting it was not a decision for political leaders to make.


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