President Joko Widodo Suggests Indonesia to be Southeast Asia’s Milk Production Center

President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister John Key deliver a press statement at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta (18/7)

After holding a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of New Zealand and his delegates at the Merdeka Palace (18/7), President Joko Widodo, in a joint press conference, expressed his appreciation for the second visit of the Prime Minister since 2012.

On that visit, Prime Minister John Key brought 22 CEOs from various notable companies. “My meeting with the Prime Minister was very productive and friendly. We discussed efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic sector,” the President stated.

First point of discussion, according to the President, was trade and investment cooperation enhancement. Indonesia, the President added, asked New Zealand to soon materialize tropical fruits export, such as salak and mango.

“I welcome New Zealand’s investment surge, since 2014, in milk processing and production. Moreover, Indonesia would like to be the center of milk production center in Southeast Asia,” the President said.

Cooperation enhancement in new and renewable energy sector, according to the President, was the second point of discussion. “Geothermal is still the priority of this bilateral cooperation and we agree to enhance the cooperation in water power energy sector including its investment,” the President added.

Meanwhile, the third point was cooperation enhancement in livestock sector.

“We agree to enhance the cooperaton in cattle breeding sector as well as other sectors related with beef. Indonesia also invites New Zealand’s investment in cattle breeding sector,” the President said.

The meeting also discussed strategic issues in global area that become both countries’ common interest.

President Joko Widodo and Prime Minister John Key also witnessed the signing of MoUs in new and renewable energy, tourism, as well as Illegal, Unreported, and Unreported (IUU) Fishing sectors.

At the meeting, President Joko Widodo was accompanied by First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Defense Ryamizard Ryacudu, Minister of Education and Culture Anies Baswedan, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said, Minister of Trade Thomas Lembong, Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform Yuddy Chrisnandi, Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti, Indonesian National Police Chief Tito Karnavian, Minister of Forestry and Environment Siti Nurbaya, Indonesian National Defence Forces Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, Head of State Intelligence Agency Sutiyoso, and Head of Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf. (FID/EN)(MMB/YM/Naster)