"Sweden is the largest trade partner of Indonesia in the Nordic, with Swedish investment in the country increasing by more than 1,400 percent in 2016, compared with 2015," the president said at the Bogor Palace here, Monday, during a joint press conference with King Carl XVI Gustaf, who is visiting Indonesia from May 22-24, 2017.
The King was accompanied by Queen Silvia and a delegation of 35 businessmen.
Terming the visit historic, the president remarked, "This visit is historic, as for the first time a Swedish head of state is visiting Indonesia after 65 years of bilateral relationship."
According to the president, Indonesia and Sweden have many similarities in foreign policy, such as playing an active role in the UN peacekeeping forces, supporting Palestinian independence, and agreeing to conduct trilateral cooperation in helping Palestine since 2015.
"We prioritize a peaceful settlement to solve conflicts, which is of course an asset to be capitalized. The economic relations of both countries are also intensive and diverse," the president observed.
The number of Swedish tourists visiting Indonesia increased by 15 percent in 2016, compared with the previous year, and it is the largest visit from the Nordic country.
President Joko Widodo and King Carl XVI Gustaf discussed efforts to develop cooperation in the field of renewable energy.
"I welcome the signing of two inter-governmental cooperation documents on visa-free fields for diplomatic and official passport holders, and cooperation in the fields of transportation, air navigation and airports, as well as cooperation on creative industry," the president mentioned.
Several cooperation agreements have also been signed separately, namely, cooperation in the fields of innovation, entrepreneurship, science park and education.
Indonesian Sweden Executive Forum will be held during the visit.
Swedish Foreign Minister and Secretary of State for Child Affairs and Gender Equality from the Swedish Ministry of Health are also part of the entourage.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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