JAKARTA. Andrew Fraser, the treasurer of the Australian state of Queensland and minister for state development and trade is visiting Indonesia this week to promote trade, showcase Queensland expertise in geothermal energy and mining technology and share knowledge about tropical regions.
Indonesia is Queensland’s largest non-coal export destination, and sixth-biggest export market overall.
“Trade underpins the strong and growing relationship between Indonesia and the state of Queensland and we would like to see stronger ties,” Fraser said in a release received by The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
The Queensland government, the release says, supports the introduction of the latest mining technology to Indonesia.
Twelve Queensland companies will demonstrate their technological capabilities at the Queensland Geothermal Forum and Mining Technology Showcase at the Hotel Mulia on Tuesday.
The technologies promoted include systems for geothermal energy; mining in high rainfall areas; mining safety; and environmental protection in mining areas.
Fraser’s visit comes following a visit by Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Darwin Saleh to Brisbane in March 2010.
“I am pleased to respond Dr Saleh’s call for cooperation when he visited my office in Brisbane last year, by announcing the planned training of 10 Indonesian mine safety inspectors in Queensland this year,” Fraser said.
Indonesia, like Queensland, covers a large area with a tropical climate. The state is also promoting the Queensland Tropical Expertise program, a range of initiatives in education, research and development related to challenges faced by tropical regions.
“We welcome Indonesian students and researchers who would like to come here to study [under the program],” Fraser adds. (The Jakarta Post)
