Indonesia has announced it is ready to open its cross-border road with Papua New Guinea, saying it is proof of the bilateral cooperation between the two countries, local press reported Tuesday.

During a visit to a border post at Skow Wutung in Jayapura in the easternmost province of Papua, Home Minister Mohammad Ma'ruf said the opening of the road would be of great benefit to residents with relatives in the neighboring country and promote bilateral interests, particularly through the exchange of commodities, thus boosting the economies of both countries.

He made the remarks when checking the immigrations services at the post on Monday.

"There has been much progress, including in the trial services. Here we can check how long it takes for a traveler to process his or her documents and baggage. We will speed it up to provide a better service," he was quoted by English daily The Jakarta Post as saying.

Papuan Governor Barnabas Suebu said that with the opening of the border crossing, the number of people from PNG coming to shop in Jayapura would increase because the city's prices were cheaper, while Indonesian traders from Jayapura would find it easier to sell their products in Vanimo, a PNG provincial capital close to the border.

"There are benefits (for) both sides. They get cheaper prices and we will be able to sell our commodities," Suebu said.

The border post is also expected to reduce the number of illegal crossings.

The post is scheduled to be officially opened next month by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare.

Source: Xinhua