SYDNEY, July 4 (IANS) Australia will ease visa rules for Indonesian travelers in a bid to boost economic ties between the two countries, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday after meeting visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
During the annual meeting of the leaders of Australia and Indonesia, Albanese Widodo discussed various topics, including visa requirements, trade and climate change, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The leaders also discussed new initiatives to enable more Australian and Indonesian professionals to work in each other’s country.
This includes improved visa offerings for Indonesian business and frequent flyers, mutual professional recognition for engineers and new pathways to support skills exchange.
Albanese said the changes will encourage more trade and investment between the two countries.
“I thank President Widodo for joining me in Sydney today for a warm and productive discussion at the Annual Leaders Meeting,” he said.
“Working together, Australia and Indonesia are committed to addressing the challenges and opportunities of the future.”
The leaders also agreed to set up a 50 million Australian dollar ($33 million) initiative under the Australia-Indonesia Climate and Infrastructure Partnership to help attract private climate finance to Indonesia and discuss the production of electric vehicle batteries.
Indonesia ranked Australia’s 14th largest trading partner from 2021-2222, with total trade between the two countries amounting to about A$18.3 billion, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
– Jans
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