VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government will initiate more cooperation forums between Indonesia and Africa to discover Indonesian potential in a bid to boost economic cooperation between Indonesian and African countries. This was stated by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi at the closing of the Indonesia-Africa Forum 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali on Wednesday (April 11^th). In addition, according to Minister Retno, Indonesia will step up consolidation with African countries by setting up a task force for Africa. This task force is to map out policies related to infrastructure development in Africa. Minister Retno further stated that Indonesia and Africa also agreed to enhance financial financing cooperation. In this regard, Minister Retno hopes that the scale and reach of the funding sector through National Interest Account can be expanded for African countries.

“First, Indonesia will initiate more forums both at the government level and at the business level to find, match, and share experience on policy and interests in business. Second, it is effective that we want to consolidate our engagement with Africa by establishing a task force on Indonesian Infrastructure to Africa. Or, we call the task force to Africa. This task force will consist of various ministries or agencies as well as private sectors whose task is to map out and implement infrastructure-related policies with Africa. Third, Indonesia and Africa agreed to improve financing,” said Retno Marsudi.

In addition to these three points, Minister Retno Marsudi also mentioned that during the implementation of Indonesia-Africa  Forum 2018 in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia has also succeeded in initiating the establishment of trade agreement in the form of Preferential Trade Agreement with a number of African countries. This is aimed to open the door of cooperation between Indonesia and Africa. (VOI/Ndy/Trans by Rezha)