SAO PAULO - BRAZIL and Indonesia are to sign a strategic partnership at the start of a three-day visit by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday, Brazil's foreign ministry said.

The accord, to be inked in Brasilia, will open the way to joint actions in areas such as biogenetics, biofuels, the fight against hunger, and science and technology, the ministry said in a statement.

Mr Yudhoyono was to be greeted by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Tuesday ahead of the signing ceremony.

On Wednesday, he was to travel to Sao Paulo to see a factory run by Embraer, Brazil's plane-maker, and a biofuel plant.

On Thursday, he was to be in Rio de Janeiro for a meeting with business leaders. -- AFP