RIYADH, 18 May 2005 — Indonesia will be seeking more funds from Saudi aid agencies including the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and the Islamic Development Bank during talks attended by Indonesian Agriculture Minister Dr. Anton Apriyantono here next week. The Indonesian minister arrives on May 23 to hold talks with Saudi officials when he will highlight the plight of his country and its people in the aftermath of the devastation caused by the December 2004 Tsunami.
“Dr. Apriyantono will also call on Saudi Agriculture Minister Dr. Fahd Ibn Abdulrahman Balghaneim and review bilateral relations in different fields,” said Arif Suyoko, first secretary at the Indonesian Embassy, here yesterday. Arif said that the Indonesian minister will be accompanied by nearly 35 top businessmen from Jakarta during his five-day official trip to Saudi Arabia.
“We deeply appreciate the generous contribution and assistance offered by many countries including Saudi Arabia and the overwhelming expressions of support and assistance from governments, non-governmental organizations and citizens of the world at large”, said embassy officials.
SFD has already made millions of riyals available for Indonesia in the past to finance the implementation of several infrastructure projects.
The trade between Riyadh and Jakarta exceeds $800 million annually with the balance of trade in favor of the Kingdom, but Indonesia is still in need of a return to a state of high growth.