President Jokowi and PM Marape Discuss A Number of Increasing Indonesia-PNG Cooperation

BOGOR – DETEKSIPOST.COM – President Joko Widodo held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister (PM) of Papua New Guinea (PNG), James Marape, during his official visit to the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Thursday (31/03/2022). In the warm and productive meeting, the two leaders discussed a number of increasing cooperation in various fields.
 
One of them is cooperation in the trade sector, which will increase by 87 percent during 2021. According to President Jokowi, this increase provides hope and optimism for the economic recovery of the two countries after the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“I believe there are still many opportunities that can be improved. For this reason, Indonesia is also ready to reopen the border with Papua New Guinea to restore cross-border trade and the economic pulse of the people living in border areas,” said the Head of State in his statement after the meeting.
 
In addition, President Jokowi also welcomed the launch of a feasibility study for the establishment of a frequency trade agreement between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The Head of State is of the view that the establishment of a bilateral investment agreement is important to facilitate and provide security for investors from both countries.
 
“In this regard, I have assigned the Minister of SOEs, the Minister of Public Works, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Minister of Trade together with the Kadin delegation and Indonesian businessmen to carry out trade and investment missions in PNG in the near future,” he said.
 
On the occasion, the two leaders also exchanged views on the importance of strengthening connectivity between the two countries on land, sea and air. President Jokowi hopes that the opportunities for Indonesian construction companies to build connectivity facilities and infrastructure in Papua New Guinea will be wider.
 
“In the defense sector, I hope that the implementation of the cooperation agreement in the defense sector will open up more opportunities for military cooperation between the two countries. This includes the potential for cooperation covering the Indonesian defense industry,” said the President.
 
Regarding cooperation in the health sector, President Jokowi said that Indonesia was ready to support Papua New Guinea’s efforts to strengthen its national resilience in the health sector through a partnership between the food and drug authorities of the two countries. In addition, the President continued, Indonesian pharmaceutical companies have also shown interest in marketing their products in the Papua New Guinea market.
 
“We also discussed the synergy between the two countries to increase cooperation with South Pacific countries, including in the fields of sustainable development, climate change, renewable energy, maritime affairs, disaster management, which are challenges for island nations in the Pacific,” said the President.
 
“Indonesia’s attention to Pacific countries is also manifested by the invitation of Pacific representatives to the G20 Summit,” he said.
 
Meanwhile, PM Marape in his statement also welcomed Indonesia’s invitation to Pacific countries to be involved in the G20 Summit. PM Marape also hopes that Indonesia can carry out the G20 presidency as well as possible.
 
“We wish Indonesia the best in holding the G20 Presidency this year. We also thank Indonesia for inviting Pacific Island members to take part in the G20 Summit,” said PM Marape.
 
Also accompanying President Jokowi in the bilateral meeting were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud Md., Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahendra Siregar.
 
Meanwhile PM Marape was accompanied by PNG’s Minister of State-Owned Enterprises William Duma, PNG’s Minister of Defense Win Daki Bakri, PNG’s Minister of Forestry Solan Mirisim, the Head of the First Administration of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville PNG Peter Tsiamalili, and the Head of Immigration of PNG Stanis Hulahau.(Source: BPMI SETPRES/UN).