President Jokowi Discusses Investment With EU Delegation

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, received a delegation headed by Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Union (EU) Council, at the Merdeka Palace to discuss issues related to investment on Tuesday.

"We discussed about investment as the EU ranks second only to Japan in terms of investment. Therefore, we have to maintain our relations to increase investment," President Jokowi stated.

According to the president, the discussion was more specifically focused on the trade barriers imposed on the export of goods from Indonesia to the EU.

Therefore, Jokowi urged the EU to take necessary steps to help ease the flow of goods from Indonesia.

"Because palm oil, for instance, does not belong to large companies alone, but 45 percent belongs to the farmers, and so, it is necessary to find a way out," the president noted.

He remarked that the EU welcomed the request, but the president opined that it was important to follow it up to ensure the smooth flow of goods from Indonesia to the EU.

Since being inaugurated as president on October 20, 2014, Jokowi has been taking active steps to boost investment in Indonesia, particularly in the infrastructure sector. (WDY)