§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on new developments in the Anglo-Indonesian Agriculture Co-operation agreement following recent economic developments in the region. [25593]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 27 January 1998]: The hon. Member will be pleased to hear of some of the positive developments under the UK-Indonesian Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural Co-operation.
302WMy noble friend the Parliamentary Secretary held useful talks with the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture last autumn and reaffirmed our willingness to continue to explore ways to co-operate. Three working groups set up under the Memorandum of Understanding met and looked at ways of advancing projects. A seminar looked at new areas for co-operation.
We recognise that the region is currently experiencing extreme economic difficulties; but we believe that we should take the long-term view. There remain opportunities for the UK agri-business sector, and it is now that we should seek to strengthen our ties, continue co-operation, and encourage Indonesia on the road to recovery.
The Memorandum of Understanding is one means of maintaining that contact and its programme will continue.