VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate welcomed cooperation from the UK for the construction of Satellite of the Republic of Indonesia-2 (SATRIA-2) during a meeting with the British Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN, and Timor Leste, Owen Jenkins.

“Today, I was visited by British Ambassador to Indonesia, Jenkins, to follow up on the talk about UK Export Finance supporting SATRIA-2," Plate informed here on Friday.

According to the minister, SATRIA-2, Indonesia's second High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) that will have a capacity to carry 150Gbps, will be designed like SATRIA-1 and built by Airbus.

During the discussion, he noted that the presence of SATRIA-2 is targeted to strengthen satellite services for Indonesia and is supported by the UK government.

Plate confirmed that he will travel to the UK for further discussions on SATRIA-2 with Airbus and the UK government.

Furthermore, he said that SATRIA-2 has been included in the Green Book of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).

"The scheme has been made possible through direct lending to the Indonesian government. For this reason, the financing documents will be discussed by the Indonesian Ministry of Finance and UK Export Finance as this is to increase economic cooperation between Indonesia and the United Kingdom," he explained.

Meanwhile, Jenkins expressed his appreciation for the meeting with Plate. According to him, the meeting will strengthen cooperation between Indonesia and the UK, especially in the information and communication technology sector.

"The UK government and Airbus, supported by the UK Export Finance, can help the Indonesian government to prepare its Internet access needs in this extraordinary archipelago," he said.

Plate is scheduled to attend the Global System for Communication Association International Communication Union Congress (GSMA ITU Congress). He will also make working visits to Spain and France.

"We are waiting for Mr. Plate to come to the UK and wanting to show him many UK's offers in technology and finance," Jenkins remarked. (Antaranews)