Indonesia, Germany Expected to Realize Cooperation Worth US$875 Million: Kadin

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - President Joko Widodos (Jokowis) visit to Europe will produce cooperation agreements worth US$875 million between Indonesia and Germany, according to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).

Kadin noted in a press statement here on Monday that the agreements will be part of the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Indonesian companies and their German counterparts.

During his current trip to Europe on April 17-22, 2016, President Jokowi is visiting four countries: Britain, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. He is being accompanied by several business executives grouped in the Kadin.

Kadin General Chairman Rosan Perkasa Roeslani revealed that on the first day of the presidents visit to Berlin in Germany, a business-to-business MoU worth $875 million is expected to be signed between Indonesian and German businesses.

Of the amount, an agreement amounting to $800 million will be signed between Ferrostahl Cronimet and PT Aneka Tambang; $40 million between Myer Werft and PT Pelni; and $35 million between APRIL and Inava.

Rosan remarked that the signing of the MoUs will be witnessed by the president and constituted a concrete step in boosting economic relations between Indonesia and Germany.

On the same occasion, Shinta Widjaja Kamdani, Kadin deputy general chairman for international relations, noted that Kadin had brought along several business delegates operating in sectors such as energy, industry, agribusiness, maritime, and telecommunications.

The delegates will meet their German counterparts during a business forum in Europe.

"This an important opportunity to create a new investment potential in Indonesia while accelerating trade cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) scheme in the European Union. This CEPA is expected to be completed in two years," Shinta pointed out.

President Jokowi and his entourage arrived in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday night local time or early Monday morning Indonesia time for a five-day state visit to European countries.

The presidential aircraft RI-1 carrying President Jokowi and his entourage landed at the Tegel International Airport in Berlin at 8:45 p.m. local time, or 1:45 a.m. West Indonesia Standard Time.

During the trip, the president was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Agung, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong, and presidential staff/presidential communication team member Ari Dwipayana.

On arrival at the Tegel airport, President Jokowi was greeted by Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Fauzi Bowo and Deputy Chief of Protocol of the Federal Republic of Germany Kondrat H. Arzvob Straussenberg.

The Indonesian president left the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in East Jakarta at 8:30 a.m. local time on Sunday for Berlin, with a stopover in Abu Dhabi.

Dwipayana remarked that the president was on a four-nation working visit at the invitation of leaders of the European countries.

The visit is aimed at forging cooperation with the European Union, particularly in the economic field, as well as at strengthening tolerance and building global peace.

He said during the visit, Indonesia will highlight the importance of cooperation in trade, investment, maritime affairs, and water management.
(WDY)