The nine bilateral meetings are with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Australia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Solomon Island, Cook Islan, Niue, and the Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead GroupAuckland (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno LP Marsudi held bilateral meetings with leaders of nine Pacific nations on climate change, natural disaster mitigation, and cooperation in skills and capacity building, in Auckland, New Zealand, Friday. "The nine bilateral meetings are with New Zealand, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Australia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Solomon Island, Cook Islan, Niue, and the Director General of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG)," she said in Auckland.
Indonesia signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on establishing diplomatic relations with Cook Island and Niue in Auckland.
"So, when we have established official relations, it would be easy to increase cooperation. On Cook Island, for instance, without realizing it, there are nearly 200 Indonesian migrant workers there," Marsudi said.
"In the meeting with the Prime Minister of Cook Island, he said he was very pleased to receive Indonesian workers because they work well. That country, in fact, is short of workers and wants to increase the number of workers from Indonesia, This is an opportunity," she said.
With the Niue leader, there were discussions on Indonesia's role in the Pacific with both countries hoping to forge cooperation in fishery and sustainable development.
"So, particularly with Niue, we want practical cooperation. Based on data, the trade ties with this country are not bad. By having official relations, it would be easier for possible cooperation," the minister added.
Marsudi is in Auckland for the First Pacific Exposition that is being held from July 12 to 14, 2019.
The Indonesian government is facilitating 30 companies engaged in various businesses, including food and beverage, textile and fashion, energy, infrastructure, and services, finance, skilled labor agencies, hotels, and aesthetics, during the expo.
They showcase their products during the expo with the intention of matching their businesses with that of their Pacific counterparts as well as building a network with potential buyers.
A total of 50 companies from 20 Pacific nations, including Indonesia, participated in the First Pacific Exposition held by the Indonesian Embassy in Wellington.
Australia, New Zealand, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji are Indonesia's main export destinations in the Pacific, with several commodities and products, ranging from palm oil and tobacco to tires and electronic components.
Translator: Hendrina D Kandipi, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
