We want to make the political proximity built since 1955 into a real economic closeness ..."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia supports the development of an equal partnership between the G20 countries and Africa, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said when delivering his speech at the G20 Summit Leaders Retreats working session with Africa, migration and health in Hamburg, Germany.
"Indonesia has been with Africa since the beginning in the the struggle for independence and equality among the world countries through the Asian-African Conference in 1955," said President Jokowi as conveyed by Head of Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin in a written statement received in Jakarta on Sunday.
President Jokowi said Indonesia has done some cooperation with African countries to carry out development and build peace.
"Together with South Africa, Indonesia initiated a New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) in 2005 to promote cooperation in the political, economic and socio-cultural fields, which is strengthened in 2015," the President said.
President Jokowi also said that he specifically has put Indonesias foreign policy to focus on Africa.
"We want to make the political proximity built since 1955 into a real economic closeness by promoting investment, reducing and eliminating trade barriers and enhancing technical cooperation," said President Jokowi.
President Jokowi stressed, carrying out development together with Africa should be done without destroying Africa. He believes only on this principle that Africas economic growth can be sustainable.
"Therefore, Indonesia supports the G20-Africa Partnership and the achievement of Agenda 2063 in Africa through the Compact with Africa," said President Jokowi.
To enhance economic cooperation, Indonesia will also hold an "Indonesia-Africa Forum 2018" as a platform to bring Indonesian businesses closer to Africa.
In that session, President Jokowi also mentioned the issue of digitization where the President believes digital technology will further change and dominate economic activity.
"Indonesia supports closer cooperation to formulate appropriate policies in anticipation of economic, business and labor developments due to changes in automation technology and artificial intelligence. I also encourage taxation cooperation to deal with digital economy and e-commerce in order to create a fair global tax system," said the President.
Indonesia supports the development of financial and insurance facilities for developing countries in the face of pandemic hazards.
"Indonesia is pushing for ever closer cooperation between WHO and the World Bank to avoid a pandemic threat that could destroy the economy and create a humanitarian crisis," the president said.
Accompanying President Jokowi during the session included Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong and Indonesian Ambassador to Germany Fauzi Bowo.
Before the start of the session, President Jokowi had a friendly conversation with several Heads of State.
(Uu.A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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