Indonesia, Sri Lanka to Boost Cooperation in Transportation Sector

President Jokowi accompanied by a number of ministers receives PM Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, at Hotel Melia, Hanoi, Wednesday (12/9). (Photo: Press and Media Bureau of Ministry of State Secretariat)

On the sidelines of his working visit in Vietnam, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo  on Wednesday (12/) at Melia Hotel, Hanoi, hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe.

During the meeting, President Jokowi offered cooperation to Sri Lankan Government to build railway facilities and infrastructures in the South Asian country.

“Indonesia offers a full package cooperation, including the purchase of train facilities and infrastructures such as rails, stations, depots and signaling systems,” said President Jokowi to reporters after the meeting.

In the meantime, according to press statement released by Deputy for Protocols, Press and Media of Ministry of State Secretariat, President Jokowi also highlighted Indonesia’s commitment to support development in Sri Lanka. Particularly on the connectivity issue, President Jokowi took notes of Sri Lanka’s interest to buy 60 train carriages from PT INKA (Indonesia state-owned train manufacturer). In addition, the President also expressed Indonesia’s interest in participating in the steel bridge construction project in Sri Lanka through PT WIKA (state-owned construction company).

On that occasion, President Jokowi also thanked Sri Lanka’s support for Indonesia as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and appreciated the participation of Sri Lanka in the recently-concluded 2018 Asian Games.

President Jokowi also followed up several agreements from his visit to Colombo in January this year, particularly on trade issue, one of which is a joint effort between Indonesia and Sri Lanka to export ready-made garments to the European Union. “Efforts to jointly submit the proposal to the European Commission regarding the delivery of ready-made garments will open up market access to the European Union. We must continue our intensive approach so that the proposal can be accepted,” said President Jokowi.

In addition to that, the President also expressed hopes that the formation of working groups between the two countries in the field of trade and investment can immediately identify potential cooperation and overcome any obstacles in trade and investment. “We must encourage the initial session of the working group to be held as soon as possible,” President Jokowi continued.

Furthermore, President Jokowi also pushed on immediate joint feasibility study related the establishment of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Joining President Jokowi during the meeting were Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, and Minister of Communication and Information Rudiantara. (BPMI Setpres / ES) (STU/EP/Naster)