Indonesia and Tanzania Strengthen Cooperation on Several Sectors
- VIVA.co.id/Arianti Widya
Bogor – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) revealed that the governments of Indonesia and Tanzania agree to strengthen cooperation in several sectors, include trade, investment, human resources, and health.Â
"The friendship between Indonesia and Tanzania is further strengthened with Tanzania President, Samia Suluhu Hassan visit to Indonesia, where we have agreed to continue to fill with concrete cooperation in various fields," the President said at the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Thursday.Â
In the trade sector, the Head ofState said, the two countries agreed to start negotiations to establish a preferential trade agreement (PTA) in 2024.
"Preferential trade agreement (PTA) will be formed to increase trade and the launch of negotiations will begin this year,"Â
Regarding investment, both countries are committed to strengthening cooperation in the oil and gas sector.Â
The President said Indonesia's state-owned enterprise (SOE) Pertamina (Persero) has expanded cooperation in the Mnazi Bay oil and gas block and conducted training for Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) employees.
"Going forward, Indonesia expects negotiations between Medco Energi for LNG cooperation and SSA's (Sinka Sinye Agrotama) investment plan in fertilizer to be realized soon," the President remarked.Â
"I have also conveyed the importance of establishing a bilateral investment treaty for the protection of investment between the two countries," he added.Â
In the field of development cooperation, the President remarked that Indonesia is committed to increasing cooperation in increasing human resource capacity to the application of digital-based systems.
"Indonesia is committed to increasing cooperation in revitalizing the Farmer's Agriculture and Rural Training Center (FARTC) in Morogoro, training human resources in oil and gas and agriculture, and implementing the National Single System," he explained.Â
In the health sector, the President said that the two countries will strengthen cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector.
"Indonesian pharmaceutical companies have committed to fulfill medical needs in Tanzania. Therefore, I have conveyed the importance of intensive exploration between the BPOM of the Republic of Indonesia and the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority to accelerate the registration of pharmaceutical products," he explained.Â
In addition, President Jokowi also conveyed the commitment of both countries to continue to support the struggle of the Palestinian people.
"Regarding the situation in Gaza, both countries have the same position and will continue to coordinate to support the struggle of the Palestinian people,"Â
Meanwhile, about South-South Cooperation, President Jokowi also expressed hope for Tanzania's participation in the Indonesia-Africa Forum (AIF) II which will be held in 2024.
"The second Indonesia-Africa Forum is to strengthen South-South Cooperation, in which Tanzania is one of the main partners," the President concluded.Â