President performed Friday prayers at the airport`s mosque before resuming his flight to Jeddah.Banda Aceh (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodos (Jokowis) flight to three Middle East Countries made a stopover at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, on Friday.
As part of his working visit from Friday until next Tuesday, President Jokowi is heading to three Middle East countries of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar.
The presidential aircraft carrying Jokowi and his entourage landed at Sultan Iskandar Muda airport at 12:45 p.m. local time. The president thereafter performed Friday prayers at the airports mosque.
After spending an hour in Banda Aceh, the president and his entourage resumed their flight to Jeddah.
Before departing from Halim Perdanakusuma airport at 10:15 a.m. local time on Friday, Jokowi remarked that his state visit to the Middle East countries aims at strengthening cooperation in the fields in economy and military hardware systems as well as increasing protection of Indonesian migrant workers.
"This visit aims to strengthen bilateral relations with Middle East countries, especially in the fields of economy, energy, and strategic industries along with increasing protection of Indonesian migrant workers," Jokowi remarked.
During the visit, President Jokowi will hold bilateral meetings with King Salman bin Abdulazis in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dabi, UAE; and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha, Qatar.
The head of state noted that Saudi Arabia is Indonesias largest trade partner in the Middle East region, while the UAE is the main export destination for Indonesia, and Qatar is the largest investment contributor in Indonesia.
"This visit is also expected to open greater access to Indonesian products in the Middle East market and to also encourage investors from the three countries to make direct investment in Indonesia, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, maritime, and energy," Jokowi stated.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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