indonesian FM to establish infrastructure task force to Africa

Nusa Dua, Bali (Antaranews) - Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said the ministry would establish a task force which will map and implement infrastructure policies in Africa.

"The task force to Africa consists of representatives from various ministries, institutions and the private sector," Retno Marsudi said on the sidelines of the Indonesia-African Forum (IAF) here on Wednesday.

According to her, the ministry wants to more concretely consolidate Indonesia`s relations with Africa on economic cooperation, especially infrastructure.

Indonesia, the minister added, will initiate many more forums at government and business levels to find and match experiences on business policies and interests.

Marsudi added that in the second half of 2019, Indonesia will also host Indonesia-African Dialogue in Infrastructure as a concrete manifestation of Indonesia`s commitment to expand new trade markets in the continent.

In a joint statement with Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita at the IAF 2018, Marsudi also stated that the ministry would explore and implement other agreements between Indonesia and African countries to improve financial assistance.

Since 2015, the Indonesian government has implemented national interest account (NIA) or a special assignment which is given by the government to the Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI) to provide export financing for transactions or projects that are commercially difficult to implement but is considered necessary.

"We want NIA to be improved in terms of scale and reach for African countries," she said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and LPEI or Indonesia Eximbank on the first day of the IAF have agreed on economic diplomacy and launched a study book entitled Road to Africa that could be a reference for Indonesian businesses to develop business in Africa.

The minister explained that Indonesian companies have a high desire to enhance relationships in business and share development capacity building, technology transfer and build cooperation in the form of joint venture.

The enhancement in cooperation is expected to be more positive with the opening of direct flights from Addis Ababa to Jakarta which will be served by Ethiopian Airlines in the near future.

"We are ready to assist and cooperate on development, decided to double scholarship programs and expand capacity building programs for Africa," Marsudi said. (*)