SBY to discuss economic partnerships

JAKARTA. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said upcoming state visits to three countries, culminating with the G20 Summit in Russia, would be focused on discussing economic partnerships.

“Although there are other important agenda items that we will go over, the trip is primarily for building economic relationships,” said Yudhoyono at the Halim Perdanakusumah Airport in East Jakarta on Sunday, before departing to Kazakhstan, Poland and Russia.

Yudhoyono said partnerships on trade and investment would be discussed during his visit to Kazakhstan. “We will also go over opportunities for business development in Kazakhstan's energy sector,” he said.

In Russia, the President will attend the G20 Summit, which will focus on the current state of the global economy.

Presidential spokesman for foreign affairs Teuku Faizasyah said the G20 Summit would cover four agenda items: economic growth and financial stability; sustainable development for all; economic growth and investment and employment growth; and economic growth and trade.

Faizasyah said Indonesia would continue to promote sustainable development and inclusive finance, both major issues for developing countries.

“Since the first summit in Washington, D.C., in 2008, Indonesia has fought for the inclusion of the development agenda in the G20 meetings,” he said. The President's trip will be from Sept. 1 to 7.