VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a bilateral meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi at Prime Minister's House on Saturday, January 27, 2018.

President Jokowi believes his state visit to Pakistan will be a new glue to strengthen the cooperation and friendship of both countries. Therefore, President Jokowi focuses on three major bilateral issues, namely economic cooperation, inter-community relations and cooperation for Palestine.

President Jokowi said that the total trade value after the implementation of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries has increased significantly since 2013. In 2016 reached USD2, 1 billion or an increase of ± 8.9% per year.

Other sectors of negotiations, such as services and investments can begin after the goods sector agreement is implemented. To continuously increase the trade, President Jokowi welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in the Joint Trade Promotion.

"In the field of investment, I welcome the formation of 'Joint Venture'  and processing of palm oil in Port of Qosim, Karachi. This cooperation will be able to make Pakistan the trading center of palm oil and its preparations in South and Central Asia region, "said the President.

Indonesia will export LNG to Pakistan for 10 years, with an additional option of 5 years, 1.5 million tons / year.

"Indonesia is also looking forward to strengthening future energy cooperation such as the possibility of investing Indonesian companies to build LNG regasification facilities and sharing experiences and expertise in environmentally friendly energy utilization," said President Jokowi.

In addition, in a business meeting held on January 26, the transaction value of USD 115 million, among others, increased trade in the areas of oil palm, coal, cocoa, coffee, tea and others.

Another thing that is also discussed in the meeting is strengthening the relationship between the two countries, including increasing the flow of tourists and the business world. Both leaders agreed the two-state business world should be glued together.

At the end of the meeting, President Jokowi called for joint support for the Palestinians. To that end, President Jokowi reminds the Prime Minister to always hold the lobby to get support for Palestinian independence for the sake of humanity and justice.

Also present accompanying the President and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo are Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan, Special Staff Coordinator President Teten Masduki and Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia for Pakistan Iwan Suyudhie Amri./// (Release Protocol, Press and Media Secretariat of the President)