"I think the Saudi kings visit is a good momentum for Indonesia to forge cooperation between the two countries," member of the House Commission IX Muhammad Iqbal said at the parliament building here on Wednesday.
Indonesia has many areas of cooperation with Saudi Arabia especially in the fields of trade, investment, Haj pilgrimage, umrah, and manpower.
The quota of Indonesian Haj pilgrims and the protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia are among the issues that have been under the spotlight, he stated.
"I hope the Indonesian government will focus on discussing the issues intensively," he added.
The politician from the United Development Party (PPP) said the government should benefit from the kings visit to agree on the protection of Indonesian migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta on Wednesday at 12.45 p.m. local time
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) greeted the king upon arrival at the airport. After greeting the king, Jokowi got into his car and headed for the Bogor Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java.
King Salman and the president boarded separate cars.
Several government officials were also present alongside Jokowi to greet the king, including Deputy Foreign Minister A.M. Fachir, Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, Commander of the Jakarta Military Command Major General Jaswandi, and Jakarta Police Chief Inspector General M. Iriawan.
Jokowi is scheduled to offer King Salman a tour of the Bogor Palace following their arrival.
They will also hold a bilateral meeting and witness the signing of several memoranda of understanding. ***2***
(S012/INE/B003)
Reported by Riza Harahap
EDITED BY INE
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
