TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo has been scheduled to leave the country on Friday, September 11, 2015, for his official visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
The President said that the visit was to strengthen bilateral ties with the Middle Eastern countries in economy, migrant worker protection and strategic industry sectors.
“During the official visit to the three countries, I will meet King Salman bin Abdulazis in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of the UAE in Abu Dhabi; and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar in Doha,” Jokowi said at the Halim Perdanakusuhah Airport, Jakarta, on Friday, September 11, 2015.
“As an important partner for Middle Eastern countries, the visit is expected to open access for Indonesian products to Middle Eastern markets,” Jokowi added.
Jokowi revealed that the three countries have been watching the development of Indonesia’s defense industry. Jokowi said that he would pitch partnerships and cooperation in the strategic industry, including the plan to offer Indonesia’s primary weaponry defense system products.
“In the energy sector, the three countries supply 24 percent of the world’s oil demands, have 30 percent of the world’s total oil reserves, and 18 percent of the world’s gas reserves.
“Therefore, the visit will focus on building Indonesia’s partnership with Middle Eastern countries in the energy sector to support Indonesia’s energy resilience programs,” Jokowi said.
Accompanying Jokowi during the official visit that will last until September 15, 2015 are Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong, and Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution.
REZA ADITYA
