Official opening of Govt office in Surabaya

The decision by Prime Minister Paul Keating to preside at today's official opening of Western Australia's new office in Surabaya is a clear demonstration of the importance with which Australians now view their growing links with Indonesia.

The new office has been established by the WA Government as part of its on-going efforts to strengthen the ties first created two years ago when it signed a Sister Province Agreement with East Java.

Deputy Premier Ian Taylor said the opening of the trade and cultural exchange which had followed the signing was a most practical example of how well the new relationship between Australia and Indonesia could work.

"The decision to establish a permanent presence in Surabaya represents a considerable investment for our own State Government," Mr Taylor said.

"But the fact is we have decided to open an office in the World Trade Centre because the people of East Java have always made us feel very welcome and because we have made a lot of friends here.

"As a result we sincerely believe mutual co-operation will pay handsome commercial and cultural dividends for both our countries."

Mr Taylor said he believed State authorities which, by their very nature, were closer to the day-to-day activities of their citizens could, through Sister-Province Agreements, play an important role in harmonising international relations.

"Today almost every country in the world is reviewing its international relationships and reshaping them to meet the dynamic growth I think we all expect to occur in the world economy as we enter the 21st century," the Minister said.

"Undoubtedly an essential ingredient of that growth will be the ability of countries to work in more harmony with their neighbours.

"At our provincial or State level I believe we are already providing a clear demonstration of just what that can mean and what can be achieved."

Mr Taylor said considerable numbers of East Java and Western Australian students were now involved in educational courses in each other's provinces.

No less than 11 WA schoolchildren were currently studying at the Surabaya International School.

In Perth, many East Java students were studying English, taking technical courses or completing tertiary studies.

"The activities of these young people provide a very practical demonstration of how the Sister-State Agreement is affecting the lives of individuals," Mr Taylor said.

"But at the business level there is a lot happening and a lot more that could happen.

"We see considerable potential for joint ventures and for development in areas away from our more traditional trade.

"For example, we see good prospects for joint projects in agriculture and horticulture.

"We are also hopeful that we can play a more direct part in the development of East Java through the provision of a range of management, engineering and information technology services."