Singapore (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian and Russian governments held bilateral meeting at the Suntec Convention Center, Singapore, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit to discuss a number of issues, including economic cooperation.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) received Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday at around 16:00 at local time.

"I really appreciate our increasing trade relations. Based on our data, Indonesia`s bilateral trade with Russia increased by 14.34 percent in 2017, amounting to US$2.52 billion. I hope the target of $5 billion trade will be achieved by 2020," Jokowi stated.

The meeting also discussed increasing economic cooperation between Indonesia and Russia in the field of trade, particularly regarding positive support for Indonesia`s crude palm oil (CPO) export.

"We ask for support to provide positive campaign on Indonesia`s CPO," Jokowi noted.

The Head of State also encouraged the Russian government to increase the import volume for a number of Indonesia`s fishery products.

In addition, Indonesia will increase export of tropical fruits to Russia.

In the meeting, Jokowi explained about Indonesia`s trade within the framework of economic cooperation with the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region.

The president remarked that Indonesia intends to increase trade with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

"I hope Russia, as the Chair of the EAEU, can help accelerate the collective decision, so that the FTA negotiation between Indonesia and the EAEU, especially in response to the procedures we have submitted in 2017, can immediately begin," he added.

The value of bilateral trade between Indonesia and Russia in 2017 increased by 14.34 percent or worth US$2.5 billion.

During the meeting, Jokowi was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Maritime Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister of State Pratikno, and the Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore Ngurah Swajaya.

Reporting by Bayu Prasetyo
Editing by Libertina, Yoseph Hariyadi

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Editor: Bustanuddin
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