I will visit Malaysia, India and Indonesia from 18 to 25 October.
In Malaysia on 18-19 October I will participate in the Australian Alumni
Convention where I will deliver the Keynote opening speech and attend a
dinner to be addressed by Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir. The Convention
will be attended by Malaysian business government and industry leaders -
some of the more than 130 000 Malaysians who have studied in Australia since
the 1960s. The Convention will further cement ties between the two countries
and providing opportunities for the exploration and development of joint
venture relationships between Australians and Malaysians.
I am looking forward to launching the Australia India - New Horizons
program when I visit India from 19-23 October. New Horizons is the
fourth in a series of integrated country promotions designed to showcase
Australia and highlight our innovation, international competitiveness, cultural
diversity and technological sophistication in key countries. New Horizons
will take place in six major Indian cities and put before India's decision
makers and opinion leaders the best that contemporary Australia has to offer
in business, education, science and technology, culture, tourism and sport.
It will also offer influential Australians in government and the private
sector an outstanding opportunity to experience the new India.
In New Delhi on 23 October I will deliver the opening address at the New
Horizons Public Policy Conference. This high level conference will provide
a forum for leading Australians and Indians to address common challenges
faced by both countries as we move into the new millennium. During my visit
I will hold discussions with senior Indian government ministers on a wide
range of issues.
The selection of India as the target for this comprehensive program of activities
reflects the high priority the Government attaches to expanding and deepening
Australia's relationship with India. Australia and India are on the threshold
of a renewed and more productive partnership. I am confident that New
Horizons will generate a wide range of productive and enduring links
between Australia and India and open up new opportunities to build a much
stronger bilateral relationship.
In Indonesia I will be leading the Australian delegation of six Ministers
to the third Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum meeting to be held in
Jakarta on 24 - 25 October. This will be my third visit to Indonesia since
becoming Minister for Foreign Affairs.
The Australia-Indonesia Ministerial Forum was established to expand the
relationship between Australia and Indonesia into areas of practical economic
and trade cooperation and to add a new institutional dimension to the relationship.
Besides providing a vehicle to address impediments to trade and investment,
the Forum also provides an opportunity to explore likely future directions
and growth areas in our economies. The Forum has added significant momentum
to the development of bilateral economic relations.
This year's meeting will provide the Government with the opportunity to
underline the importance that Australia attaches to promoting trade, investment
and general business links with Indonesia and our wish to participate as
an economic partner in Indonesia's enormous national development effort.
We will also be conveying to senior Indonesian ministers the significant
changes occurring in the Australian economy and the consequent growing business
opportunities in both countries. In this connection, I welcome the participation
of Australian private sector representatives in the Forum meeting.
For further information: Peter Collins 06.277.7500 .