Jakarta Globe Tue March 15, 2016

JAKARTA, Indonesia – . President Joko Widodo received the honorary visit of Belgian Princess Princess Astrid, the sister of King Phillipe, at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, as part of Indonesia’s efforts to boost bilateral relations between the two countries, especially with economic partnerships.

With around 300 representatives from 127 companies, the visit is meant to open up more business opportunities as Indonesia is the gate for Belgian goods entering Southeast Asia.

Indonesia is also inviting more investment, in addition to increasing the trading sector, said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

“The president agrees on accelerating the economic relationship [between Indonesia and Belgium], especially in the trade and investment sectors,” Retno said after Tuesday’s meeting.

Indonesia and Belgium’s trade value stood at $ 1.67 billion in 2015, with investment reaching around $ 7 million.

On the occasion, Joko also conveyed his hope to boost the two nations’ beneficial bilateral trade relationship through an increase of business interaction and larger market access for Indonesian goods, such as footwear, rubber, textile, electronics and furniture.

On the issue of investment, the president invited Belgian investors to increase their investment in several strategic sectors: infrastructure, telecommunications, film industry and pharmaceutical raw materials.

Indonesia and Belgium are also boosting their cultural relationship with the establishment of an Indonesian-themed park, named “Kingdom of Ganesha,” at Pairi Daiza park in Brugelette, as well as the selection of Indonesia as a guest country for the Europalia-Indonesia Festival 2017 to promote Indonesian culture and tourism.

http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/belgium-steps-bilateral-relations-indonesia/

Published by Asean Digest

View all posts by Asean Digest