Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government welcomes Timor Leste`s bid to encourage Indonesian investment in various fields including oil and mining infrastructure there, an official said.

One of president`s staff for International relation sector Teuku Faizasyah in a press conference at the presidential office in accordance to the meeting consisting of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Timor Leste`s Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao at the State Palace, here Tuesday.

"Economic Cooperation in developing infrastructure, cooperation, trade, tourism development, in order ro built the sector capacity in East Timor. There is also Indonesian willingness to infest in oil and gas sectors, the Indonesian government is positivly welcomes the invitation," said Faiza.

Besides of being interested in boosting investment in Timor Leste, Indonesia also offers export credit facilities for Timor Leste for purchasing military equipments.

However, Faiza can not ensure the export credit value to be given because it would be further discuss in a bilateral meeting of representatives.

"Both countries has also have a cooperation progress record so it can be assessed in the future on how far the bilateral development in various fields," he said.

Both President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a number of fields that marked increase in cooperation between the two countries.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding was held at the Merdeka (State) Palace in Jakarta, on Tuesday by the respective ministers of both countries.

The Memorandum of understanding consisting of diplomats education and training, tourism and trade technical cooperation, infrastructure development and technical cooperation in the decentralization and governance sectors, marine and fisheries cooperation and cooperation in education and transportation.

Before witnessing the signing of the MoU and letters of intent, the two leaders held a meeting to discuss development of bilateral relations.

After the meeting, President Yudhoyono hosted a luncheon for Prime Minister Xanana at the State Palace in Jakarta.

Prime Minister Xanana is scheduled to be in Indonesia until March 25, 2011. On Tuesday (March 22) after his meeting with President Yudhoyono, Prime Minister Xanana is scheduled to give a public lecture at the University of Indonesia.

(SYS/A050/S019)

Editor: Suryanto
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