"The new Ro-Ro will connect Indonesia and the Philippines. We will develop the line to connect other regions of ASEAN countries to achieve ASEAN Connectivity," Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte inaugurated Ro-Ro ferry service that connects Davao and General Santos in the Philippines with Bitung in Indonesias North Sulawesi Province.
The President and First Lady Iriana Jokowi left for Davao on Sunday, boarding Indonesia-1 Air Plane from Col Jesus Villamor Airport of Manila.
According to a press release of the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat, the shipping line will be optimized to develop sub-regions in both countries.
The government hopes the connectivity can increase trade value and people to people contact of both countries.
"The new Ro-Ro will connect Indonesia and the Philippines. We will develop the line to connect other regions of ASEAN countries to achieve ASEAN Connectivity," Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said.
Several high-ranking officials accompanying President Jokowi to Davao include Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Johny Lumintang.
President Jokowi will proceed to Hong Kong to meet Indonesian community and members of Diaspora Indonesia who stay in Hong Kong.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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