REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) received a courtesy call from German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday evening. Chancellor Merkel arrived at the Presidential Palace compounds at around 3.00 p.m., where SBY met her upon her arrival.

Merkel`s entourage included the state secretary for economic affairs, several members of parliament and representatives of leading German companies. The German chancellor is in Indonesia for a two-day visit to reciprocate SBY`s visit to Germany in 2009. SBY is expected to hold a state banquette in honor of Chancellor Merkel on Tuesday night. 

After the welcoming ceremony, Merkel and SBY held a tete a tete, followed by bilateral talks between the two countries` delegations. During the bilateral talks SBY was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, National Police chief General Timur Pradopo and a number of other high ranking officials. 

Data suggests that the two-way trade between Germany and Indonesia is expected to reach US$12 billion by 2015. In 2010 bilateral trade balance stood at US$5.9 billion, an increase from US$4.6 billion a year earlier, while German investment in Indonesia stood at US$157.6 million in 2010. Germany is now ranked 14th among foreign investors in Indonesia.