Jakarta, June 4 -- Trade Minister Budi Santoso said Indonesia is preparing a trade cooperation with the Philippines through a barter scheme as an alternative transaction amid the exchange rate crisis faced by both countries.

This statement was made at the Ministry of Trade office, here on Wednesday, in response to the weakening of the rupiah against foreign trade.

"We have alternatives, such as barter. On June 12, we will meet with Philippine business people," the minister said.

He said the plan was a follow-up to his meeting with a Filipino businessman on the sidelines of the ASEAN Joint Foreign and Economic Ministers (AMM-AEM) meeting in Cebu, Philippines, some time ago.

He said the businessman had been importing Indonesian products...