Indonesia, Timor-Leste Agree to Boost Economic Partnership

President Jokowi and President Jose Ramos-Horta at Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java province (07/19) (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Agung)

Indonesia and Timor-Leste Tuesday (07/19) reinforced commitment to strengthening economic partnership between the two neighboring countries.

“We openly, friendly discussed a number of bilateral partnerships. A commitment to strengthening economic partnership between Indonesia and Timor-Leste was a major issue,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said in joint statement with President of Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta at Bogor Presidential Palace in West Java province.

On that occasion, the Head of State revealed some points agreed by the two countries, including:

Firstly, Indonesia and Timor-Leste have agreed to improve trade opportunities between two countries.

Secondly, Indonesia and Timor-Leste have agreed to boost land and sea connectivity.

“On the land route, it is our hope that bus route connecting Kupang-Dili can be immediately realized. On the sea route, I noticed that it is important to provide sea route connecting Kupang-Dili-Darwin,” President Jokowi said.

Thirdly, Indonesia and Timor-Leste have agreed to strengthen development of cross-border posts.

President Jokowi also said that Indonesian state-owned Enterprises and private sectors are committed to participating in Timor-Leste’s development including in infrastructure sector.

“I encourage the two countries to finish bilateral investment treaty. As of now, Indonesia’s investment in Timor-Leste reached US$818 million, especially in banking, oil and gas, telecommunication sectors,” the President said.

In addition to economic partnership, the two leaders also discussed issues related cross-border negotiation including Noel Besi-Citrana and Bijael Sunan-Oben. (TGH/UN) (AP/EP)