Indonesia is hoping for a "mutually beneficial" spirit relations in the economic partnership agreement (ERA) it plans to sign with Japan later this month in Tokyo, a minister was quoted yesterday as saying.

Indonesia will ask Japan to invest in such industries as petrochemicals and steel so as to support the Indonesian manufacturing sector, said Industry Minister Fahmi Idris.

Indonesia also will seek compensation for the economic imbalances that arise from the deal.

The compensation is necessary because Indonesian agricultural products would likely continue facing difficulties in entering the Japanese market.

"The ERA is basically a liberalisation of trade, and if that's the case, then it will surely benefit Japan more," Fahmi was quoted by English daily The Jakarta Post as saying.

Fahmi explained that Japan might get the upper-hand in the deal, with that country's high-tech products still in big demand in Indonesia, and set to enjoy even lowerduties.

By contrast, Indonesia's main agricultural and timber products would continue to face non-tariff, market-access barriers in Japan in the form of strict quality standards.

He therefore urged Japan to invest more in Indonesian manufacturing industry within the framework of the ERA.

"Let's just say this is to balance things up against the losses we might suffer under the agreement," he said, adding that there was a need for a joint statement to be issued during the signing of the EPAso as to ensure its fairness.