IDNEWSNOW.COM, Jakarta – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo welcomed the Foreign Trade Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, at the Merdeka Palace on Friday, September 3.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, who accompanied the President in the meeting, explained the visit presented a strategic value and reflected the commitment of the two countries to boosting trade for the economic recovery due to the pandemic.
“In the meeting, the President said he welcomed the launch of the Indonesia-UAE CEPA (a comprehensive economic partnership agreement), and that the first round had been completed,” said Retno in an online press conference, Friday, September 3.
The head of state hoped the negotiations could be completed in less than a year so that significant progress would be achieved in the next few months.
“The President also expressed his appreciation for the UAE’s support for Indonesia during the pandemic, including the donation of 750,000 doses of the Sinopharm vaccine. Cooperation in the health sector will later be the collaboration priority of the two countries,” Retno said.
Other than Retno, officials accompanying President Jokowi in the meeting were Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi and Indonesian Ambassador to the UAE Husin Bagis.
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DEWI NURITA
