Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo has appointed Salman Al Farisi as Ambassador Plenipotentiary for the Republic of South Africa.

The President officially named Salman as ambassador by taking his oath in the State Palace, Jakarta on Wednesday.

The designation is put in Presidential Decree No 76 P 2018 relating to the designation of Salman Al Farisi as the Plenipotentiary Ambassador for South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Botswana.

Al Farisi said his mission in South Africa and other African countries is to increase Indonesia`s economic cooperation.

"The mission priority is improving economic diplomacy as in line with President`s referral as stated by Minister Retno," Al Farisi said.

South Africa has strong strategic relations with Indonesia as the country has comprehensive partnership with Indonesia.

He said 30 percent of market value to South Africa is palm oil. However, there are still many potential commodities to be developed with South Africa, including in the pharmaceutical field.

Al Farisi added the cooperation on politics, and sociocultural with South Africa has been strongly built.

The ceremony was attended by several officers such as Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Commander of Indonesia Defense Force Marshall Hadi Tjahjanto, Chief of Police General Tito Karnavian, and Chairman of Regional House of Representative Oesman Sapta Odang.

Reported by Desca Lidya
(Uu.B019/H-YH)
(UU.B019/B/KR-BSR/B/H-YH)

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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