Jokowi: Indonesia Ready to Partake in Sri Lanka`s Development

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi confirmed Indonesia`s willingness to participate in developing infrastructure in Sri Lanka. "Indonesian State-owned Enterprises (BUMN) has made contacts including for the flyover construction, connecting the New Kelani Bridge - Rajagiriya," said Jokowi at Temple Trees, Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Thursday, January 25.

Jokowi made the statement during the breakfast with the First Lady Iriana Jokowi and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mrs. Maithree Wickramasinghe in the State visit to Sri Lanka.

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Prime Minister Wickremesinghe welcomed Indonesia's goodwill to participate in infrastructure development in Sri Lanka, considering the limited budget of Sri Lanka. "We support the participation of Indonesia, [and] we can start through the Public Private Partnership financing," he said.

The President also mentioned to immediately follow up the fast-train procurement. He said that Sri Lanka's Transport and Civil Aviation Minister had confirmed to purchase 60 train cars for the first phase. 

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Jokowi also supports the PM Wickremesinghe's proposal of the partnership in the maritime sector stated in yesterday's bilateral meeting. "The cooperation must be done with respect to international law and based on the spirit of inclusive collaboration," he said.

Regarding the cooperation of blue economy, Jokowi said he will push it together in IORA. "I really hope that economic partnership can be realized." 

After the breakfast, President Jokowi and his entourage will continue their journey to New Delhi, India. 

ANTARA