President Jokowi Receives Putin`s Special Envoy

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received Russian Trade and Industry Minister Denis Manturov, who came to deliver President Vladimir Putins letter, at the Merdeka Palace here on Friday.

The letter, in essence, carried a request to enhance bilateral cooperation in the economic field, Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi, who attended the meeting, said.

The Russian president also invited Jokowi to attend the ASEAN-Russia Summit to be held in Sochi, Russia, in May, and also the World Economic Forum (WEF) conference which will be held in Saint Petersburg in June.

"The president will attend the ASEAN-Russia Summit and hold a bilateral meeting (with Putin). He is yet to consider other invitations," Marsudi said.

At the meeting, the two sides also discussed economic cooperation, particularly the issue of exporting Indonesias crude palm oil and fish, to Russia. Indonesia expects that non-tariff barriers that its exports to Russia face, could be removed, enhancing the two-way trade.

Indonesia has also waived visa requirement for Russian tourists, and asked Russia to provide the same facilities to Indonesian tourists visiting Russia.

In the infrastructure sector, both sides discussed a wide range of issues, including the construction of a railway line in East Kalimantan, the construction of an aluminium bauxite smelter in West Kalimantan, a nickel processing facility, Marsudi said.

"Russia is seeking Indonesias support to ensure the smooth flow of Russian investment into Indonesia," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, who also attended the meeting. (WDY)