Indonesia-France Cooperation to Focus on Maritime Affairs, Creative Economy
Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and President François Hollande agreed to strengthen bilateral relations between Indonesia and France during a state meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/03).
"Indonesia and France will increase cooperation in two new sectors – maritime affairs and creative economy," Jokowi said in a welcome speech.
Indonesia and France will get together to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and will advocate for the practice to be categorized as transnational organized crime.
In cultural affairs, the two countries will work together in the fields of cinematography, fashion and digital economy.
"Our partnerships will be intensified by cooperation in one more very important sector: the creative industries — not only cinematography, but also fashion, video games," Hollande said.
During the visit, Hollande was accompanied by Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Digital Sector and Innovation Minister Christophe Sirugue, parliamentarians and 40 top representatives of France's business sector.
Jokowi and Hollande witnessed the signing of memoranda of understanding in the sectors of defense, sustainable urban development, scientific and technological research, innovation and tourism.
In 2016, the trade between Indonesia and France was estimated at more than $2 billion. Hollande's visit is expected to bring $2.6 billion in investment.
This is the first visit by a French head of state to Indonesia since President François Mitterrand's in 1986.
Hollande's visit to Jakarta is the last part of his Southeast Asian tour, which also included Singapore and Malaysia.
Tags: Keywords: