SA trade Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith is visiting Bandung and Jakarta as the state seeks to strengthen economic ties with the region.

It is the first SA trade mission since Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, part of the Bali Nine, were executed in April.

The trip was brought to a halt by the Federal Government soon after the executions when it withdrew its Ambassador to Indonesia in protest.

Ministerial engagements between the nations stopped for months before beginning again in Augus

“Indonesia is emerging as a regional and global economy and provides us with an opportunity for mutual benefits across our key sectors,” Hamilton-Smith said in a statement on Monday.

The State Government aims to discuss the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with West Java.

The signing, held during OzAsia Festival in September, focused on business, education, agriculture, arts and culture and government-to-government knowledge exchange and capacity building.

Hamilton-Smith said the government wanted to contribute to the rapid growth and development of West Java.

“South Australian product and service companies can contribute to the growing economy in West Java.

“Indonesia is emerging as a regional and global economy and provides us with an opportunity for mutual benefits across our key sectors,” Hamilton-Smith said.

Indonesia is ASEAN’s (Association of Southeast Nations) largest economy and is forecast to emerge as one of the top 10 global economies between 2025 and 2030 by most transnational economics agencies.

During the visit, Hamilton-Smith will take part in a workshop to strengthen the state’s partnership West Java.

“We will discuss ways in which South Australia can contribute to Indonesia’s development, particularly in food security, including agribusiness services and technology and regulatory frameworks,” Hamilton-Smith said.

“The delegation will also focus on how to grow key export sectors including infrastructure development, increasing regional aviation opportunities, health technologies and services, education and skills development and automotive and associated supply chains.”

Hamilton-Smith said increasing the state’s presence in South East Asia would help strengthen cultural and trade links with the region.

According to the SA government, the Indonesian market holds significant potential for South Australian businesses.

Australian trade with Indonesia has been increasing over the past five years and was Australia’s eighth largest trading partner in 2014.

with AAP