President Jokowi Meets Turkish Businesspeople
President Jokowi, accompanied by a number of Ministers, meets Turkish businesspeople at JW Marriot Hotel, Thursday (6/7) afternoon (Photo: Rahmat/PR)
Concluding his agenda in Ankara, Turkey, President Joko Jokowi Widodo had a one on one meeting with three CEOs from Turkeys main companies as well as a business meeting with a number of Indonesian and Turkish CEOs at JW Marriot Hotel, on Thursday (6/7) afternoon local time.
On the business meeting, President Jokowi said that although Turkey is located thousands of miles away, this country is quite popular in Indonesia. Over the last few years Turkish soap operas are very popular in Indonesia, the President said.
According to the President, Indonesia and Turkey have a similarity in regional perspective. The President added that Turkey becomes a hub in its region, while Indonesia which economy is the biggest in Southeast Asia and its population is the fourth biggest in the world, becomes a hub in Southeast Asia.
Therefore, the President believes that Indonesian businesspeople choose Turkey as a hub and vice versa.
The President explained that he as well as the ministers has met President Erdogan and they agreed to launch a negotitation of free trade cooperation between Turkey and Indonesia through Indonesia-Turkey Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IT-CEPA).
In regards to improvement in economic sector, the President explained that last year the World Bank changed the rank of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) index in Indonesia from rank 106 to 91. Its a good achievement. In history, there was never any country able to jump 15 ranks only in one year, the President said.
Moreover, President Jokowi added that two months ago, it was the first time in twenty years the obligation of the Government of Indonesia received an investment grade from three leading credit rating agencies, namely Standard & Poors, Moodys, and Fitch Rating.
Even though some improvements still need to be done, the President asserted that he is committed to continuing the improvements and eliminating hampering regulations.On the meeting, the President also askedthe CEOs to share their ideas on their future cooperation.
At the end of our discussion, I can make a conclusion that the point is when. When can we see the results? As you all are aware, I bring my Ministers and Ambassador. So, lets walk hand in hand to follow it up, the President concluded the meeting.
On the one on one meeting, President Jokowi was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno L.P. Marsudi, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, and Head of Investment Coordinating Board Thomas Lembong. Meanwhile, on the meeting with the CEOs Minister of Foreign Affairs and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs did not accompany the President.
Go to Hamburg
After the meeting, President Jokowi as well as First Lady Ibu Iriana Jokowi and their entourage left Ankara, Turkey, to continue their state visit agenda to Hamburg, Germany, to attend the G-20 Summit. They departed from Esenboga Havalimani Airport Ankara, Turkey. (DAN/RAH/ES)(MMB/YM/Naster)
