London (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and Great Britain have signed several cooperation agreements in the economic, education, sports, and maritime sectors.

The signing ceremony was held during President Joko Widodos (Jokowis) working visit to London on Wednesday, according to member of the Presidential Communication Team Ari Dwipayana.

During the visit, President Jokowi met British Prime Minister David Cameron and discussed bilateral relations.

At least, five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed between the two governments that focus on cooperation to boost the creative industry, the higher education sector, exchange of information and experiences on the management of sports events, as well as to streamline maritime and fisheries regulations.

The officials of PT Garuda Indonesia airways and Rolls Royce Company also inked an MoU.

The MoUs were signed by Minister of Indonesian Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Minister of Maritime and Fishery Susi Pudjiastuti, and Executive Director of Garuda Indonesia Arif Wibowo.

With the signing of the MoU in the sports sector, Indonesia and Britain can share experiences and information on maximizing trade, business, and investment for organizing sports championship events.

It is important for Indonesia to gain an understanding of the management of sports events as Britain had hosted the 2012 Olympics, and the country is preparing to host the Asian Games 2018.

The MoU in the creative industry is vital to improve the capacity and skills of human resources through education and training in the sector.

The governments of the two nations believe that the MoU can develop the financing sector to boost the creative economy and increase investment. The MoU also prioritizes the development of creative cities in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the MoU related to the higher education sector is expected to improve the education systems in both nations.

The cooperation also aimed at developing bilateral educational institutions by providing scholarships to students in both countries.

Both governments also agreed on establishing cooperation in the maritime and fisheries sectors through the exchange of information to end illegal fishing and to conduct maritime research, biodiversity conservation, fishery management, and human resource development.

Indonesia and Britain also established a technical working committee to evaluate the cooperation.

The Garuda Indonesia is also cooperating with Airbus and Rolls Royce to improve and develop the capacity and skills of human resources for the maintenance of bigger engines of Rolls Royce and the expansion of the Garuda Maintenance Facility.

Ari said the signed MoUs reflected the sound relations between Indonesia and Great Britain.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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