President Joko Widodo received the Vice President of Zambia, W.K. Mutale Nalumango, after attending the opening of The 7th Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2022 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), Wednesday, May 25, 2022.

During the meeting, the President discussed efforts to strengthen economic cooperation between Indonesia and Zambia.

"Mr. President expressed hope to increase Indonesia's exports to Zambia in the future, including CPO, paper, and apparel, in particular," said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in a statement received by RRI through the BPMI Setpres, Wednesday (25/5/2022).

In addition, President Jokowi also conveyed information about the existence of several Indonesian SOEs that are currently exploring cooperation in Zambia. In the railway sector, for example, PT INKA is exploring the provision of locomotives for the Zambia Railway project from Victoria Falls to Chingola City.

"In addition, there are Indonesian SOEs that are also exploring cooperation in the context of expanding and modernizing the Lusaka International Airport terminal," she explained.

In the new and renewable energy sector, President Jokowi conveyed that there is a plan to set up a joint venture between Indonesian state-owned companies in the construction and management of solar power plants in Zambia.

"The President also expressed the desire of Indonesian pharmaceutical companies to contribute in strengthening the health sector in Zambia, especially or in particular in the effort to fulfill the vaccines needed in Zambia," the Minister said.

Meanwhile, the Vice President of Zambia expressed her appreciation for Indonesia in disaster management. To note, a number of parties have previously conveyed similar appreciation, including the President of the United Nations General Assembly and the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

"The Vice President of Zambia also expressed her appreciation for Indonesia's way of managing Covid-19," Minister Retno added.

In addition, the Vice President of Zambia also conveyed the importance of Indonesia and Zambia being able to hold a joint commission meeting. The Vice President of Zambia also expressed her wish that Indonesia could help increase capacity in the sectors that Zambia needs, namely in the field of disaster management and mining.

"Earlier, it was also mentioned that the desire to cooperate in capacity building is still ongoing, also in addition to agriculture," she said.

In addition to being accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting President Jokowi was also accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, the Indonesian Ambassador to Zimbabwe and Zambia Dewa Made J. Sastrawan, and Acting Director of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tyas Baskoro Her Witjaksono Adji. (RRI)