President Jokowi Arrives In Singapore

Singapore (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) arrived in Singapore and was greeted with a state welcoming ceremony at Singapore's State Palace on Tuesday.

Jokowi, accompanied by First Lady Iriana, is on his first state visit to Singapore from Tuesday to Wednesday.

His agenda includes a bilateral meeting with Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam, a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and a business forum to be attended by 150 CEOs of major Singaporean companies.

The visit is expected to boost bilateral economic cooperation.

Singapore is one of Indonesia's key economic partners in trade, investment, and tourism.

The trade balance between Indonesia and Singapore in 2014 reached US$41.99 billion, or the second-largest after that with China.

Singapore has been ranked first among the nations investing in Indonesia during the last five years. Its total investment in 2014 reached US$5.8 billion in 2,056 projects.

Last year, 1,519,223 Singaporean tourists visited Indonesia, an increase of 10.12 percent compared to that recorded in 2013. Singapore is the largest contributor of foreign tourists to Indonesia.

"I will discuss with Singapore about the development of Batam, Bintan, and Karimun," the president stated moments before leaving Halim Perdanakusuma Airport here for Singapore on Tuesday morning.

Jokowi remarked that during a business meeting later, he will invite Singapore's businesspersons to invest in Indonesia, particularly in the field of infrastructure.

"We do not want to sell our natural resources," he affirmed.

During his two-day visit to Singapore, President Jokowi is accompanied by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto, Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonehoro, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi, Coordinating Minister for Culture and Human Development  Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Economy Sofyan Djalil, Chief of the Investment Coordinating Board Franky Sibarani, and Presidential Communication Team member Teten Masduki, among others. (WDY)