Saturday, May 7, 2011

Indonesian president asks ASEAN to increase internal trade

7 May, 2011
Source: Xinhua

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Friday asked ASEAN countries to boost trade volume, investment and tourism while further enhancing cooperation with dialogue partners for greater benefit.

President Yudhoyono made the statement at his speech in front of nine heads of state of ASEAN countries and delegates at the 18th ASEAN Summit in Jakarta.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

"We have to further develop intra-ASEAN trade, investment and tourism," said Yudhoyono.

ASEAN with over 500 million population has been part of Asia which has been the engine of world economic growth and it is predicted that its role will continue for coming years. ASEAN has recorded high economic growth and become a favorite destination of foreign investment expecting higher yield. On Friday, ASEAN economic ministers agreed to carry out internal trade in ASEAN and with its partners China, Japan and South Korea to use local currencies, Indonesian Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said at the summit.


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