Singapore (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a bilateral meeting with US Vice President Mike Pence to discuss a number of collaborations, including in the trade sector.

Jokowi and Pence conducted a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting with partner countries.

"The president stressed that Indonesia and the US could complement each other in the trade sector. Therefore, the trade relations between the two countries would be mutually beneficial," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi explained at a press conference at the Suntec Convention Center, Singapore, on Wednesday.

Jokowi hoped that the US would provide a Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) system to Indonesia because it is beneficial for both countries.

The head of state explained that if the two countries use a more serious approach, it could worsen bilateral trade cooperation.

In addition, he also explained the collaboration development on the concept of cooperation between the Indo-Pacific and the importance of building a pluralistic society.

He explained several concepts of regional cooperation that could be synergized through the Indo-Pacific.

"Lastly, we conveyed that we need US support for the AHA Center (ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management), so that we can carry out tasks or mandates given by ASEAN leaders to play a role in the Rakhine State," Marsudi remarked.

The president received Pence at around 6:15 p.m. Singapore Time on Wednesday.

Reporting by Bayu Prasetyo
Editing by Andi Abdussalam, Yoseph

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Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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