RI, Korean Businessmen Sign Business Deals Worth $18 Billion

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Indonesian businessmen signed business deals worth US$18 billion with their South Korean counterparts  during President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)'s recent visit to the East Asian country, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi announced on Saturday.

        "During their visit to the Republic of Korea, Korean business people demonstrated a high degree of enthusiasm, as reflected at a business forum. Some  500 Korean businessmen attended the forum and signed business deals worth US$18 billion (with their Indonesian counterparts),"  she told a press conference held shortly after President Jokowi arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta after his visit to South Korea and Russia.

        Also present at the press conference were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong and Chief of Presidential Staff Office Teten Masduki.

        President Jokowi paid a working visit to South Korea from May 16 to 18. He proceeded on a visit to Russia to attend the ASEAN-Russia Summit from May 19 to 20.

        Minister Retno pointed out that during the president's visit to South Korea, Indonesia also saw strong commitment on the part of the South Korean government to enhance cooperation with Indonesia in various fields.

        Among the new areas of cooperation, to which the two countries are according priority, are expediting the pace of industrialization and developing the creative industry, she explained.

        "After holding talks with President Park, the two nations signed seven cooperation agreements, covering maritime industry, creative industry, sports, special economic zone, peat land restoration and corruption eradication," she informed.  
   The minister said during his visit to South Korea, the Indonesian leader took the first ever initiative of this kind, and interacted with members of the younger generation at one of the universities in the country.

        "President Jokowi also delivered his keynote address to the  Asia Conference Leadership, which was also attended by President Park, former US president George Bush and other world figures," she elaborated.

         President Jokowi stated that Indonesia is striving for an open and competitive economy and inclusive development.

        Retno informed that the meeting between Jokowi and Russian President Vladimir Putin went off cordially, with the two leaders seeking to enhance cooperation in various fields.

        During the meeting, the Russian government expressed its commitment to build refineries worth US$13 billion in Indonesia, she continued, adding, that the two nations also signed five cooperation agreements in the fields of defense, fishing, culture and ministry archives.

        While in Russia, Jokowi also attended the ASEAN-Russia Summit held to mark the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia Partnership.

        "It seems that Russia was eager to enhance cooperation in the economic field and to respond  to the issue of economic integrity," she underlined.

        At the summit, Jokowi stressed that ASEAN-Russian Partnership must benefit peace and prosperity.

        "President Jokowi also underscored the importance of developing a regional security architecture by emphasizing the centrality of the ASEAN and asked Russia to support the regional security architecture proposed by Indonesia," she concluded.  (WDY)