VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOInews, Jakarta: Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held the 3rd Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) meeting with Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Wayne Tkatchenko at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jakarta, Tuesday (21/3). During the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi mentioned a number of spaces that could be utilized by the two countries to develop bilateral cooperation in the trade sector.

"Including through simplifying and streamlining the customs process, facilitating a stronger logistics network, and encouraging the formation of the Indonesia - Papua New Guinea Joint Business Council," he said in a statement delivered online after attending the JMC.

She also appreciated the positive trend that has continued in bilateral trade between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in the last five years.

"The reopening of the post-pandemic Wutung - Skouw border has also contributed to the increase in the number of visits by Papua New Guineans to Skouw Market," she said.

In addition, she said, overall, the two countries agreed to take concrete steps to start negotiating the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).

"Indonesia is committed to speeding up the process by preparing a joint feasibility study that will combine the views of our two countries," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Meanwhile in the investment sector, Retno Marsudi said the two countries also discussed the possibility of cooperation in involving Indonesian BUMNs to invest in Papua New Guinea, including in the energy sector, communication services and the pharmaceutical industry.

"We agreed to explore concrete economic results in the future," she said. (VOI/Andy)