VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that economic cooperation was the focus of his working visit to Australia on July 3-4.

The head of state conveyed this during his meeting with several leaders of Australia's leading companies at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, Tuesday.

"My visit to Australia this time will focus on strengthening economic cooperation in which all of you will become an important part," he said, as quoted in the statement of the Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau received in Jakarta.

The meeting was also mediated by Australian minister of industry and science, Ed Husic.

Husic said the economic cooperation between Indonesia and Australia could still be improved.

"We can achieve greater cooperation to enhance economic strengthening for the two countries, including increasing people-to-people relations," the minister stated.

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Arsjad Rasjid, who was also present at the meeting, noted that a follow-up to the activity would be conducted, namely the plan for a group of Australian businessmen to visit Indonesia in September.

"This is our opportunity to work together and increase Australian investment in Indonesia," Rasjid said.

Accompanying the president during the activity were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto; Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi; Minister of State Secretary Pratikno; Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan; Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia; and Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Siswo Pramono.

Apart from meeting Australian business leaders, President Jokowi has a fairly busy schedule of activities throughout Tuesday, including visiting the residence of Australian Governor General David Hurley and attending a series of the 8th Annual Meetings of Indonesian-Australian Leaders with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The president and PM Albanese are thereafter also scheduled to visit the Sumatran Village located at Taronga Zoo to see the Sumatran tiger.  (antaranews)