VIVAnews - Australia extends its compliment to Indonesia for the country’s resilience in dealing with the global economic crisis over the past year. Australian Finance Minister, Wayne Swan also praises Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati for her role in getting Indonesia out of the crisis.
Swan delivered the statement after meeting with Indrawati in Jakarta on Tuesday, November 20. “Minister Swan appreciates Indonesia’s resilience amid the global financial crisis and congratulates Minister Sri Mulyani for her role in bringing Indonesia out of the crisis,” says the ministers’ joint statement.
Indrawati also referred to Australia’s strong policy responses in the financial crisis and its economic resistance. Both ministers learned that Indonesia and Australia are in the group of countries that have successfully dodged the recession as the result of the global crisis.
“Indonesia is the third country among the member of G20 which has the fastest economic growth after China and India,” Swan said. The ministers also discussed about economic prospects and agreed that the development of global economy has been relatively stable despite the challenges that are needed to be aware of.
Indrawati welcomed the formalization of Australia’s contingency loan agreement with Indonesia, which is worth US$ 1 billion, that was announced in last December. Both minister pointed out that the agreement proves the countries’ solid collaboration.
Australia and Indonesia are also considering the feasibility of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the countries. The ministers agreed that the comprehensive FTA, which was established on a strong foundation upon the ASEAN-Australian New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) could be a chance to improve the economic partnership between Indonesia and Australia.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
