Jakarta. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi has just unveiled President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s plans for a trip to Tanzania later this year in a move to bolster diplomatic relations. 

The senior diplomat had discussed the planned visit during a meeting with her Tanzanian counterpart Stergomena Tax in Jakarta on Thursday. Retno, however, did not disclose in which month Jokowi planned on flying to Tanzania.

“We discussed the preparation for President Jokowi’s visit to Tanzania later this year. As well as the possible visit by Tanzanian Prime Minister [Kassim Majaliwa] to Indonesia,” Retno said in a joint press statement shortly after the talks.

According to Tax, Majaliwa’s official visit is scheduled to take place in September. He will be coming with Tanzanian business delegates who are seeking to explore new deals with the Southeast Asian country.

Commenting on Jokowi’s visit to Tanzania, Tax said: “I reaffirmed President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s readiness to receive in-person her brother, President Jokowi.” 

Tax’s visit coincided with the opening of the Tanzanian embassy in Jakarta. 

Government data shows Indonesia-Tanzania trade reached $340.8 million in 2022. Indonesia-Tanzania trade also amounted to $82.3 million in the first four months of 2023.

According to Retno, both countries have agreed to explore the possibility of a preferential bilateral trade agreement.

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