Queensland eyes RI's mining sector

Australia's Queensland plans to intensify trade relations with Indonesia particularly in the mining sector, according to Queensland Premier Peter Beattie, the Media Indonesia daily reported on Friday.

Speaking at the opening of the Indonesian Mining Conference 2000, Beattie said that he had met with Minister of Mines and Energy Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie, and several legislators to discuss Indonesia's mining sector.

Asked about Indonesia's political and security condition, another Queensland senior official Heath McMichael said that he believed that the government of Indonesia was serious in dealing with the problem.

He pointed out that an Australian mining company in Halmahera was not seriously affected when riots occurred in the area recently.

McMichael also said that Darwin would be developed to become a logistic center for mining industry in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Eight mining companies from Queensland participated the four-day expo, which was opened by Minister Susilo on Wednesday.

Over 1,000 participants mostly from Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States will display the latest mining technology at the expo. (*)