Indonesia's Industry Ministry and China's Shaanxi Province on Thursday signed an agreement to enhance the research and development capabilities of Indonesia's manufacturing industry.

Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Indonesian Industry Minister Fahmi Idris said, Shaanxi's potential in research and development in the fields of machine manufacturing, automotive, oil and gas industrial equipment and even in agribusiness is the main consideration of Indonesia to cooperate with the Chinese province.

Asked what strategic benefits Indonesia would gain from the cooperation, he said they were the high-technology capabilities needed to develop same kinds of industries in Indonesia.

Shaanxi Governor Yuan Chunqing who led more than 100 businessmen to Indonesia said at a forum that his province wanted to establish contacts with Indonesian counterparts.

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2008)