"The move will be in line with the Saudi governments vision for 2030, which envisages increasing international non-oil and gas investment," he stated at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday.
He pointed out that the Indonesian government is prepared to make some interesting offers that Saudi Arabia can explore as they wish to invest in a number of sectors, including banking and tourism.
"Most of their investments are made in the western countries and some in neighboring areas, as also Africa. Indonesia, as a big country itself, would surely like to intensify such cooperation," he underlined.
Kalla added that the partnership between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia focuses more on religious, educational and social affairs.
"Economic partnership is not as big a part in the ties," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution lauded the Kings plans to visit Indonesia in the beginning of March.
Speaking at the offices of the Finance Ministry in Jakarta on Friday, he reminded that the Kings visit was related to discussions around investment opportunities, specifically in the raw oil processing industry facility and petrochemicals.
"They plan to build a refinery and a petrochemicals project, among other things. So, this is all about investment," he stressed.
Previously, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung had said President Joko Widodo will be receiving King Salman himself in the Bogor Palace.
Anung informed that the Kings visit will feature discussions centered around five cooperation agreements, including cultural and art promotions, exchange of experts covering pilgrimage safety, the promotion of modern Islam through dakwah and ulema exchange, increase in the number of flights from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia, and the eradication of cross-border crimes.
Discussions on economic issues will also include the construction of an oil refinery in Cilacap as a result of the cooperation between Pertamina and a Saudi Arabian Oil Company with an investment value of US$6 million.
King Salman will be visiting Indonesia from March 1 to 9. After meeting President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, he will depart to Bali, where he will enjoy some time off.
"The King wishes to have some rest in Indonesia and we will welcome him," the president stated.
Reported by Azizah Fitriyanti & Calvin Basuki
(UU.KR-ARC/INE)
EDITED BY INE
(UU.KR-ARC/A/KR-BSR/S012)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
