CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE TRADE MISSION TO INDONESIA (Statement by the Minister for Commerce and Industry)

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: Mr Speaker, Sir, hon. Members will be happy to know that as a result of a series of negotiations, a joint Chambers of Commerce Trade Mission from Singapore has been invited by the Chamber of Commerce of Indonesia with the concurrence of the Ministry of Foreign Trade to visit Indonesia. The Mission will leave on 8th March and the visit will last one week.

The Mission will comprise about 15 members, headed by Mr K. M. Abdul Razak, Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce. I am attaching two of my senior officials as observers to this Mission.

The Mission will have the opportunity to discuss fully and frankly all matters of mutual interest to Indonesian and Singapore merchants with the object of establishing closer trade ties. The Mission will be able to make valuable personal contacts with the leaders and members of the main commercial associations in Indonesia and also hold discussions with various Ministers and officials.

It is hoped that the Mission will be able to foster closer mutual understanding of trading problems affecting the two territories and that this will lead to further consultations on trade matters to the benefit of both territories.

It is possible that the Mission's visit might pave the way to the establishment at a later date of a resident Singapore trade representative at Djakarta.