"When I visited Africa last month, I was impressed with the potential held by that continent. Africa is now a priority in Indonesias foreign policy particularly in the context of economic diplomacy," Retno Marsudi said in a statement issued here on Tuesday.
The minister issued the statement after a bilateral meeting with her Mauritian counterpart Seetanah Lutchmeenaraidoo, on the sidelines of IORA ministerial meeting at the Jakarta Convention Center on Tuesday.
Retno expressed appreciation for the participation of Mauritius in the IORA summit meeting chaired by Indonesia .
She said Indonesia wants to show its commitment to Africa considering long relations between Indonesia and Africa since 1955.
"Mauritius is the largest investing African country in Indonesia. Mauritius investment in Indonesia last year was valued at US$576.5 million in 250 projects or a 12-fold increase from US$30.67 million in 2015," she said.
Retno asked Mauritius to diversify investment in Indonesia. The Indonesian government invited Mauritian investors to take part in development of big projects in the country such as infrastructure, energy and agriculture projects.
Lutchmeenaraidoo congratulated Indonesia for the success in bringing IORA to a higher position in international forum during the countrys chairmanship 2015-2017.
He said Mauritius recorded much progress made by IORA during the Indonesian chairmanship such as the Jakarta Concord and Action Plan of IORA, as a strong foundation of cooperation among the Indian Ocean Rim countries.
As maritime countries both Indonesia and Mauritius share the interest in promoting maritime cooperation between IORA countries, including through application of high technology in remote sensing in fishery industry.
Retno repeated stressing the Indonesian commitment to continuing the fight against international crimes including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing).
"Crimes in the sea such as IUU Fishing, are closely linked with international crimes such as slavery, drug trafficking and smuggling of weapons. These crimes disturb national and regional security and stability. We have to team up through IORA to eradicate all forms of crime," Retno said.
The IORA summit was preceded by senior official meeting on March 5 and ministerial meeting on March 6 . IORA also held business meeting attended by ORA business leader.
IORA, which groups 21 countries with six dialog partners, was established 20 years ago but it has its first summit meeting only this year. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
