Indonesia, Angola Sign Three Agreements to Accelerate Cooperation
Jakarta. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her Angolan counterpart, Georges Rebelo Pinto Chikoti, signed agreements on visa-free access for diplomats, political consultation and cooperation on economic, scientific, technical and cultural affairs in Jakarta on Tuesday (11/04).
"We've signed three important agreements, which will consolidate and accelerate Angola-Indonesia cooperation," Chikoti said during a joint press conference.
Since Indonesia and Angola initiated diplomatic relations in 2001, the country has since become the Southeast Asian nation's third-largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with trade valued at more than $290 million in 2016.
The Foreign Ministry said since the 2016 trade value decreased 62 percent from a year earlier, Indonesia suggested a preferential trade agreement in the hope that Chikoti's visit will further strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
The two ministers also discussed other issues, including capacity-building training and exchange programs in liquefied natural gas, diplomatic training, investment opportunities in Angola's agro-industry and Indonesia's strategic industry.
Chikoti said Angola is interested in purchasing train carriages from state-owned Industri Kereta Api (INKA).
He also expressed the Angolan government's support for Indonesia's campaign to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2019-2020 period.
The Angolan delegation also met with representatives of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), during which Chikoti raised the possibility of increased cooperation in the agricultural, textile and footwear sectors.
Increasing economic partnerships with Africa is one of Indonesia's foreign policy priorities. In 2018, the archipelago will host the Indonesia-Africa Forum and Maritime Dialogue, which will focus on opportunities for economy cooperation and ways to combat illegal practices at sea, respectively.
Chikoti said Angola will participate in both forums and that the two countries share similar views on international issues.
Chikoti will also visit state-owned arms manufacturer Pindad and aerospace company Dirgantara Indonesia during his three day-visit.
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