Indonesian President's Visit to UK to Strengthen Cooperation in Investment

Jakarta, April 18 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo is visiting London, the United Kingdom (UK), on April 18-20, 2016, as part of his European tour, the Indonesian Embassy in London said in a statement received by Antara here, Monday. The president is being accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Trade Thomas Lembong, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung. Chairman of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board Franky Sibarani and Chairman of the Creative Economy Board Triawan Munaf are the other officials who are part of the presidential entourage. More than 50 Indonesian entrepreneurs are also accompanying the president. President Widodo's visit is an opportunity to increase collaboration with the UK, one of the biggest economies in Europe, in the areas of investment, culture of tolerance, education, organization of sports events, and the creative industry. On Tuesday (April 19), the president will meet British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and work together to intensify political, economic, and socio-cultural relations between the two countries. The visit is a follow-up to Prime Minister Cameron's successful visit to Jakarta in July 2015. On Wednesday (April 20), the president will meet British businesspersons and invite them to discuss the improvement of business-to-business relations between the two countries. Indonesian Ambassador to the UK Rizal Sukma stated that the two countries' shared values and common interests are reflected in Indonesia's status as a member of the G20. "Indonesia is an ideal partner to build a strategic bridge between Asia-Pacific and Europe within an interconnected global network. The two main agenda that will be discussed during the state visit are economic development and culture of tolerance," the ambassador added. President Widodo will then continue his visit to Belgium and the Netherlands.