President Jokowi, Hong Kong Chief Executive Sign MoU on Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers
President Jokowi meets with Chief Executive of Hong Kong Leung Chun-Ying on Monday (1/5)
President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Monday (1/5) met with Chief Executive of Hong Kong Leung Chun-Ying to discuss several issues on the protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong.
During the meeting, which takes place at the Drawing Room of the Government House of Hong Kong, both leaders also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the measures to protect Indonesian Migrant Workers in Hong Kong.
I welcome this Memorandum of Understanding which is aimed at strengthening the protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers, President Jokowi said in the 30-minute meeting.
According to the President, there are currently 172,826 Indonesians living and working in Hong Kong and contribute to Hong Kongs economy.
President Jokowi also thanked the Government of Hong Kong for protecting all Indonesians there.I thank you for your honorable service to protect Indonesians living in Hong Kong. I believe Your Honorable will continue paying attention and providing protection to our citizens, President Jokowi told Leung Chun-Ying.
In the meantime, Hong Kong Chief Executive said that Indonesia is an important partner for Hong Kong. He also hoped the relations will not only be strengthened through Government to Government contact but also business to business. Last but not least is people to people contact, Chun-Ying said.
Trade and investment sectors also need to be enhanced considering Hong Kongs position as a hub which connecting the Mainland and the world, he added.
Chun-Ying also expressed the commitment of the Government of Hong Kong to give more attention and protection to Indonesian Migrant Workers. Indonesian Workers are part of our community, he said.
Regarding trade and investment sectors, President Jokowi asserted that Hong Kong is the fourth largest investor in Indonesia and Hong Kongs investment value in Indonesia reached US$2.25 billion in 2016 or increased by more than 200 percent compared to that in 2015 which was only at US$691.2 million.
President Jokowi also hopes that the establishment of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) in Jakarta will contribute to the increase in trade transactions and investment between Indonesia and Hong Kong, including Hong Kongs investment on creative industry to Indonesia.
Concluding the meeting, President Jokowi said that he welcomed the signing of Memorandum of Understanding on cultural sector.
I believe this memorandum can strengthen cooperation in culture and arts as well as enhance the mutual respect, understanding, and friendship between our two peoples, President Jokowi said.
After witnessing the signing of Joint Statement on the Cooperation on Manpower between Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Hong Kongs Secretary Labor, the President also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Indonesian Education and Culture Minister Muhadjir Effendy and Hong Kongs Secretary for Home Affairs.
Accompanying President Jokowi during the event were Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung. (BPMI Setpres/ES) (RA/EP/YM/Naster)
